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Sciences 
Corporation 


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CIHM/ICMH 

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10X  14X  18X 


22X 


T 


V 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


tails 
du 

jdifier 
une 
nage 


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publiques  du  Canada 

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d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaitr^  sur  la 
darnidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clichd,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nor<ibre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iliustrent  la  m6thode. 


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NORTH-AMERICA^i 

F  ROM 

« 

The  Commencement  of  the  French  IIostilities 
on  the  Frontiers  of  Virginiay  in  ij^i^,  to  the  Sur- 
render oiOfwego,  on  the  14th  of  Augufl,   1756. 

INTERSPERSED 

With  various  Obfervations,  Charaders,  and  Anecdotes; 
neceiTary  to  give  Light  into  the  Conduft  of  American 
Tranfaftions  in  general-,  and  more  efpecially  into  the  poll, 
tical  Management  of  Affairs  in  New-York. 


In  a  Letter  to  a  Nobleman. 


-        N    E    W    ^    r    0    R    K: 
Printed  by  Alexander  and  James  Robertson,  Mdcclxx. 


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NORrH-AMEkiClA.  6tc. 

My  Lord, 

ESTEEM  myfelf  highly  honoured,  when  Tntroduaioo 
;  you  rcqueft  of  me,  a  full  account  of  the  rife, 
progrefs,  and  prefent  flate,  of  the  military 
operations  in  North- America-,  with  ajuft  de- 
lineation of  the  characters  of  the  principal  agents  in  ^ 
our  political  afifairs.  Indeed,  my  Lord,  you  im- 
pofe  a  tafk  that  will  require  a  Volume,  rather  than 
a  Letter.  As  your  Lordlhip's  defirc,  however, 
Ihall  always  carry  with  me  the  force  of  a  command, 
I  will  engage  in  it  with  the  utmpft  chearfulnefs. 
Forgive  me,  my  Lord,  for  faying  Lhave  a  dill 
ftronger  motive  for  compofmg  tliefe  (beets,  than 
a  mere  compliance  with  your  Lordlhip's  requefl:  ; 
to  which  I  would  ever  pay  the  profoundeft  regard. 
When  I  jeflefl  ^  upon  your  cmjnent  ftation— your 

excelling 


I 


t      -."If 


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excelling  abilities — you r  warm  and  aflivc  zeal,  for 
the  intercfl:  and  welfare  of  the  Britifli  colonies ;  I 
am  prompted  by  an  unfeigned  dcfire  of  ferving  my 
country  ;  and  fctting  before  your  Lordfhip's  eyes 
Truth,  in   her  plain  undifguifed  habiliments  :   I 
would  ftrip  hef  of  all  that  delufive  colouring,  with 
whTch  fhe  harh  been  artfully  varniflied,  by  letter- 
writers  from  rhi'i  part;  of  the  world  %  either  to  fub- 
ferve  fome  mean  ,finil>er  party  defign,  or  to  pro- 
mote   the  views  of  fome   afpiring  and   ambitious 
minds.    Candour  and  integrity  ihall  therefore  guide 
'     my   pert  ;  and  amidfl  the  variety    with   which  it 
■■'     "  '       is  my  pnrpo^Tc  t6  prfefcnr  your  Lordfliip,  it  fliall  Be 
my  facred  c'ndeavoivri  to  the  beftof  my  knowledge, 
to  attach  ni^felfto  the  flri(fleft— the  mod  impartial 
verity. 
American  Tirfi  American  calt>nit's,  I  fpcafc  it  with  fubmiA 

?ong"n!gkc°  ^^^"'  rtly  Lord,  were  too  long  negkaed  by  their 
ted,  tho*  of  mother  cotincry-'thV  loudly  demanding  her  patron-' 
pomnce.'"^'  ^Z'^ ^^^  afTiftance.     Thbfe,  en  the  continent,  re-' 
(\mrt  \\ct  peculiar  notice  :  They  maybe  made  afl 
ifieJthauftlble'  ttiagaziric  of  wealth  ;  and  if  fuffered 
to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  French,  fuch  will  b<^ 
the  acdefnoh' f6 'their  already  extended  conrimcrce 
and^manne  fl:fcn2;Vh,  that  Great  Efritain  muS  notf 
only  Fdfe  her"  formef  liiftrc,  but,  dreadful  even  in ' 
thought  I  ceafe  to  be  any  longer'  ah  independent 
*^  power. 


I 


:al,  for 
[lies ;  I 
ingmy 
i*s  eyes 
nts  :  I 
5,  with 
letter- 
to  fub- 
:o  pro- 
bicions 
e  guide 
hicii  it 
fnall  fee" 
vlcdge, 
1  partial 

"ubtTiiA 
y  their 
matron- 
mt,  re-' 
a:ie  aff* 
aifercd 

will  b(^ 
■)nricrc'6 

rinbf 
vcn  in 
endent 
power. 


I 


power.  Nay,  Ihould  every  other  fchcme  fiAil,  the  ^  •  *  .  •, 
flLjccefs  of  tl^iii  will  inevitably  accomplilh  c,he  Iqng- 
pfojeftec}  cjcfign  of  tuatafpiring  nation,  forftttifAg 
up  an  Univerfal  Monarchy  :  for,  if  France  1  uk 
the  ocean,  her  rcfources  will  enable  her  to  ru,bj<«tjt 
all  Europe  to  her  defpotic  fway.  But  it  is  unnc- 
ccflary  to  offer  any  arguments  in  fupporc  of  a  prcv- 
pofition,  of  which  the  public  ictnis  to  remain  no 
longer  infenfible.  Happy  for  us,  had  thefe  fentl- 
ments  prevailed  earlier,  and  been  more  frequent- 
ly  inculcated.!     j  .        ^     .     .,     •    '  ;  .    : 

The  importance  of  the  colonies,  my  Lord,  was  More  confi. 
too  little  confidered,  till  the  commencement  of  the  \''^*'*  \^" 

the   reduc- 

laft  war.     The   reduction  of  Cape  Breton  by  the  tlon  of 
people  of  New-England,  was  an  acquifition  fo  un-  ^"'^* 

expeded  and  fortunate,  that  America  became,  on 
that  remarkable  event,  a  more  general  topic  of 
converfation.  Mr.  Shirley,  the  governor  cf  the 
MaiTachufetts  Bay,  was  the  principal  projedor  of 
that  glorious  enterprize :  An  enterprize,  which 
reduced  to  the  obedience  of  his  Britanic  MajeOy, 
the  Dunkirk  of  North-America.  Of  fuch  con- 
fcquence  to  the  French,  was  the  pofTclFion  of  that 
important  key  to  their  American  fettlements,  that 
its  reftitution  was,  in  reality,  the  purchafe  of  the 
laft  general  Peace  in  Europe. 


(     8     ) 


Charafter  of  Of  all  onr  plantation  Governors,  my  Lord,  Mr. 
Shirley  is  molt  (liAinguiflicd  tor  his  fingular  .ibili- 
tics.  He  was  born  in  England,  and  bred  up  to 
the  Law,  at  one  of  the  Inns  of  Court.  In  that 
profeflTion  Jie  aftcrw?.rds  pradifcd,  for  fcveral  years 
in  th^  Maflachufetts  Bay  :  and,  in  J  741,  was  ad- 
vanced by  his  MajeHy  to  the  fupreme  command  of 
that  colony.  He  is  a  Gentleman  of  great  political 
fxigacity,  deep  penetration,  and  indetat'gablc  in- 
dultry.  Withrefpe(5l  to  the  wifdonj  and  equity  of 
liis  adminiftration,  he  can  boaft  the  univtrfal  fuf- 
fragc  of  a  wife,  free,  jealous,  and  moral  people. 
Though  not  bred  to  arms,  he  is  eminently  poflTef- 
Icd  of  thefe  important  military  virtues — An  extent 
of  capacity  to  form  and  execute  great  defigns  ;  — 
profound  fecrecy  -,  —  love  of  regularity  and  dif- 
cipline  ;  —  a  frugal  and  laborious  manner  of  living  i 
with  the  art  of  conciliating  the  afFedlions  •,  —  « 
talent  which  Hannibal  admired  in  Pyrrhus,  above 
all  the  reft  of  his  martial  accomplifhments.  In  the 
firft  of  thefe  great  qualities,  Mr.  Shirley  is  univer- 
fally  acknowledged  to  ihine  :  and  it  is,  in  reality, 
more  eftimable,  than  all  other  military  endowments 
without  It;  confifting,  to  ufc  the  words  of  that  dif- 
ccrning  hiflorian  Mr.  Rollin,  "  in  having  great 
**  views ;,  in  forming  plans  at  a  diftance  5  in  pro- 
"  pofing  a  defign,  from  which  the  author  never 

departs  ; 


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>»'» 


pArts  i  ill  concerting  all  the  tnfedfures  necefTary 
"  for  its  fucoels  ;   in  knowing  how  to  fcize  the 
'*  favouriiblc  moments  of  occafion,  which  are  rapid 
»*  in  their  courfe,  and  never  return  -,  to  make  even 
*'.  fuddcn    and    unforefeen    accidents   fubfervient 
**  to  a   plan  :  in   u   word,  to  be  upon  the  watch 
"  againft  every  thing,  without  being  perplexed  and 
'*  difconCerted    by    any  event."     But,  whether  it 
arifes  from  his  being  fo  far  advanced  in  years,  or 
from  his  conftitutional  difpoficion    and  make,  he 
has  not,  in  my  opinion,  that  aflivity  and  alertnefs 
fo  conducive  to  warlike  expedition  •,  and  on  wliich. 
the   fucccfs  of  an  cntcrprize  frequently  depends. 
This  was  one  of  the  cliaradleriilics  of  Braddock  -,  a 
commander,  vigorous  in  executing,   as  Mr.  Shir- 
ley, judicious  in    contriving  a  plan  — -  Jed  non  om- 
nia pojfumus  bmnes  —-  and  'tis  eafier,  my  Lord,  to 
find  active  hands,  than  able   heads.    , No  man  per-  His  atten- 
haps  in  the  nation,   has    beftowed  more  attention,  ,'""  "  " 
upon  the  (late  of  the  colonies  in  general:  and  hav- 
ing their  inter,eil  fincercly  at  iiearc,  h-?  has  been 
perpetually  co^(?erting  .e^tpediciKs,,   ftdvancive  •  of 
tlieir  profperity,  and  to  check  the  vicavs  of  an  iii- 
grafping  Monarch.     Upon  the  reduction- of  Louif.      ,  ,  _  , 
burgh,  he  earneftly  feeommended  to  his  Majefty's     .. 
miniilers*  the  demolition  of  that  fonrefs,  and  an  cx-     ^'     '^^ 
pedition  ag^iTift  the  French  fcttlements in Caoada.       ,;      ^;; 
'IV..1  ■      ^   .    .^        .      B  The 


ji 


fent  corn- 
in  ifTary  to 
Paris. 


(     lo    ) 

The  reafons  wl\y.  he  fucceedcd  in  nekhei  ofthefclovvn 
propofals,  I  cannot  take  upon  me  to  aflign,     Hisjterp 
Is  rewarded  Majefly,  however,  fcnfiblc  of  his  fervices,  gave  him  %he 
wit   a  regi-  ^  j-co-inrjcnt  in   1746-,  and  upon  the  conclnfion  of  Jvinc 

ment,    and  t?  /t    »  r  « 

the  peace  of  Aix-la  Chaprlle,  fcnt  him  as  oneof.thc  Itncn 
Britilh  comTCjiflTaries  to  Paris,  for  fettling  the  con-  phc 
troverted  limiif^  between  the  two  Crowns  in  Ame-  fconc 
rica.  Amidft-:  all  the  fplendors  and  deliracies  of  -S^^^ 
Verfailles,  he  forgot  neither  Our  intcrefl,  nor  His  |^^^^' 
duty.  As  a  proof  of  his  integrity  and  diligence,  1^^^^'^ 
during  that  fruitlefs  embafTy,  one  need  only  per-  |had 
,u{e  thefe  judicious  and  laborious  memorials,  in  (up-  |indi 
port  of  his  Majedy's  right  to  Nova  Scotia,  which  *"'^'- 
were  principally  framed  by  him  ;  and  lately  pu- 
blifhed  by  order  of  the  Lords  of  trade,  as  a  full  ex- 
hibit of  our  title  to  that  part  of  America.  When 
no  fatisfaflion  could,  in  this  way,  be  obtained  from 
the  Court  of  France ;  which  was  artfully  endeavour-  1  ^  75', 
ihg  to  fpin  out  the  negociation,  and  at  the  fame  ^^ion 
time  fortifying  the  places  in  c^'ueftion,  as  well  as 
making  new  acquifitions ;  the  Britifii  commiflaries 
retired  from  the  French  Court,  and   Mr,  Shirley 


refumed  his  government  in  New  England  in  Au- 


c 


1753 


The  French 
encroach  on 


Kfinia. 


guft  1753,     •        '•■    "      4!  >qv  /      .;::*i*i.i.;iVi  ,^.hq. /., 
The    French,    jealous  of  the    growth  of  th^ 
Englifh  colonies,  were  now  meditating  all  poffibjle 
arts  to  diflrcfs  them,  and  extend  the  limits  of  thcif 


y 
"  t 

< 

■i 


•1 « 


owA 


{ 


II 


) 


CI  of  thelc lown  frontier.     The  Marquis  nu'-Quefne,' in  en-'    i^^r-^i 
gn.     His  Iterprizing  genius,  was  at  this*  time  invefted  with    '       ^       ' 
,  gave  him  Ifhe  fupreme  comrrt^df  of  New  France.     Our  pro-' 
iclufion  of  Ainces  were  quickly  alarmed  by  the  French  fettle- 
oneofthc  Imcnts,  which  he  this  year  began  on  the  banks  of 
the  con-  jthc  Ohio.     VirginidV  appearing  more  immediately' 
J  in  Ame-  |concerned,  Mr.  ITmvviddic  *  wrote,  on  the  3  lit  of  MefTige    to 
i^acies  cf  ^  October,  to  the  commandant  of  the  French  forces  ly^^^^^a'^j^^" 
■,  nor  His   ^  there,  complaining  of  fund ry  late  tiofialities  :   and 
dil'gence,  jdefiringto  know,  by  what  authority  an  armed  force 
only  per-  fhad  marched  from  Canada,  and  invaded  a  territory 
Is,  in  flip-   I  indubitably  the  fight  of  ^his  Britannic  Majefly.  Ma- 
la, which   Ijor  Wafhington,  a  gentbman  of  whom  I  fhall  have 
irely   pu-   joccafion  in  the  feqjcl  to  make  hon oil rable  mention,' 
a  full  ex-  ^  was   the  bearer  ot  this  letter.     He  returned  with 
i'-  When     an  anfwer  from  Monf  Legardeur  Dc  St.  Pierre, 
ned  from    ,^^^*^^   at  the  fort  on  Beef  River,  j 5  December, 
ideavour-     ,^753  >  of  which  the  following  is  an-cxa^Jltranfla*  j^  jj  g^f^, 

the  lame    ^tion  :  "As  I  have  |he  honour  to eoolmand here ^in  cd 

■i 

'*  chief,  Mr.  Walhington.dcHvered'me  the  letter, 
*'  which  you  direfted  to  the  icommandant  of,^c^ 
French  troops.  I  fhould  have  been '  plealed  if 
you  Iiad  given  him  orders, "  or  if  he  himfelf  had 
'''  been  difpofed,  tO  vifit  Canada  and  our  general  j 
''  to  whom,  rather  than, to  me,  it  properly  apper- 


er- 


J  well  as 
imiflaries 
.  Shirley 
d  in  Au- 


:i!iq,';/l 


I  of  the 
poflitjle 
of  their 

owp 


^      ■'**  ^      ^ 


4( 


tarns 


r. 


•  I^ieutcnant  Governor  of  Virginia. 


I 


■  a.or  ml- 


I-y-rci    **  tains  to  dcinonftratc  the  reality  of  tlie  King  my 
' V '  «'  niafler's  rights  to  lands  fituatcd  along  the  Ohip, 

"  and  to  difputc  the  pretenfions  of  the  King  of 

*'  Great  Britain  in  that  refpcdt. 

V**  I  fliall  immediately   forward   your  letter   to 

*'  Monf.  Le  Marquis  Du  Quefne.     His  anfwer  will 

r 

rj    'r.::..A  **  be  a  law  ,to  me  :  and  if  he  direds  me  to  com- 
'^  '  "  municatc  if;  to  you,    I  afiTure  you.  Sir,    I  fliali 
'*  negletfl  nothing  that  may  be  neceflary  to  con- 
'^  vey  it  to  you  with  expedition.     ^  ,   ,  .  r  ■• 

*'  As  to  the  requifition  you  make  (that  I  retire 
"  with  the  troGpg  under  my  command)  I  cannot 
'-'vbitilieve  myfelf,  under  any  obligation  to  fubmic, 
^'  to,  it.  lam  here,  in  virtue  of  my  general's  or- 
"  der.s.j.  and  }  beg,.  Sir,  you  would  not  doubt  a 
'"■  moment  of  my  fixed  refolution  to  conform  to 
*'  them,  with  all  the. exacfntude  and  fleadiaefs.  that 
*-*;-might. be  cxpefled  from  a  better  officer.  ;  j^,.  •  ,• 
^'■*-*'  I  dd  not  kn<5w  that,  in  the  .courfe  of  this  cam- 
''■^pivgn,  any  thing  has  pafled  .that' Can  be  efteem- 
'*.ed  an  a<ft  of  hoftility,  or  contrary  to  the  trea- 
'«  ties  lubfifling  between  the  two  crowns  •,  >hc 
"  continuation  of  which  is  as  interefting  and  pleaf- 
*'  irtg  to  us,  as  it  can  be  to  the  Englifh.  |f  it  had 
*'  been  agreeable  to  you,  Sir,  in  this  refjped,  to 
"  have  made  a  parti'^ular  detail  of  the  facls  which 
''  occafion  your  complaint,   I  fhould  have  had  the 

*'  honour 


■i 


¥ 


\.ing  my 
lie  Qhip, 
King  of 

letter  to 
fwer  will 

to  com- 
I  fliaii     ' 

to  con-    I 

t  I  retire, 
I  cannot 

5  fubmicr  a 
eral's  or-r 
doubt  a 
form   to 
ncfs.  that. 

his  cam-- 
eft^em- 
e  trea- 
s  ;  jihe 
d  pleaf- 

If  it  had 
edt,  to 
s  which 


(  -}■$    ) 

*'  honour  of  anfwerin^  y,ou  in  the  nioft  c^pR^'lJ:    ',7-5-3f 
"  manner;  f^n^.I  am  perfuaded  ypu  wojald  h^YC^  ......TT'^'  - 

«f  .Jiad  reafop.to  be  fatisgc4.  .^p.  -    ..i,^  »w-  -  n  a-) 

"  I  have  taken  particular,., fare,  to.rftcqivc,  JVln,. 

"  )Va(hington,  \vith  all  the  idiftin^ion /^ir^J?Jp  t<p 

*«.. your, dignity,  and  to  his  quality  and  great(,j|r>ejif» 

"  1  flatter  my-fel^that  he  yvill ;dq  ipe  this  jul^icp^^nd 

'«  jcip  wjth  mejn   teftifying.  .^he  prototindi  refp^^t 

'«  with^/vhich  I  am^ ;  ,,j'^;;.  \    0T*^iJ•ri  i,  bii^:  ')ty^} 

,,,:;,;,,:>  •.,■    ,  "  S  I,R,  .  ^rr:  Ica^  li-..!  :•  ^^7(;..;.d-iuj  -^'.i  V-^  '-^ 

vni     r:   .1."  Your  moft  humbk^4nd    ,;,.  ji^tT/    oi 

>,.:;;  a.',        "  moftobedientfer(va»t>riv:^.   ,  li,  ■   i 

-m:.-. ,  ^Aio'^  A  •''>«  Legardeur  Dc St.  Pierre.'^  ' ' 


rn;; 


.^J^Ni^tlje.   receipt  rof  this   reR^luteaafwer^  Mr,    ^^754. 


. <i 


had  the 
honour 


4 

J:* 


Dinwiddle,  made  inftant  complaini  to  the  Courtof ,,.  '".  . 

'  *  ■'-■     Virginians 

Great  Britain  ;  and  by  alarming  fpeeches  laboured  apply  for  aid 

to  rouzc  the  Viro-jnians  into  a  vis^orousoppofuioi).  !^  \  ^  ^^' 

"  o  rr  lonies. 

He  wrote  alfo  to  the  neighbouring  governors^  im- 
portuning the  aid  of  the  other  colonies,  for  repeil-^ 

ing  the  invafion,  and  erecting  a  fort  at  the  conflu- 
ence of  the  Ohio  and  Monangahela.  An  imme- 
diate junfb  ion  in  fuch  meafures  became  abfolutely 
requifite  for  our  common  fecurity.     But  .the  .colp-  v 

nies,  alas  !  were  funk  into  a  profound  lethargy  ; 
and,  refigncd  to  ftupidity  and  flumbcring,  appear- 
ed inlenfiblc  of  the  threatening  danger.  They  cop- 


f  ' ri  v-'f.'i-noTi R  ^rto»'!>    *>r :.}» i nib  r  A. 


"? 


.'■•n'. 


>  {0  'tTi  J  :;C 


tcmncd 


r 


i  '14  ) 

JTyc^;^  ^^*^  power'  of  Canada  i    confided  in   the 

V— V-- — '  nunrber  of  their  inhabitants  ;  inattentive  Were  tHcy 
to  the  inconvenicncies  cf  an  end lefs  frontier  ;  and 
in  fliort 'intfrdy  unatqitainjed  with  the  fituationof 
thc'it^laad  c6untry.  'The  waters  of  the  Ohio,  be- 
fore tliiis  period,  wete  fcarce  known,  fave  to  a  few 
Indian  tuders-,  and  the  gcii«raiity  deemed  thofe 
Freoc'h  feijtiemeiits  ido  jetnote  t6  be  the  dbjedt  of 
dread,  and  a  matter  of  infignificant  moment.  Ac* 
But  they  gc-  cordingly,  when  applicatioij  was  made  for  fuccours 

nerally  ex- 

cufed  ihcm-  ^^  Virginia,   cbntormable  to  direftions  from  the 
felves.  miniftry,  fomc  of  our  provincial  affemblies,  particu- 

larly thofe  of  Pcpnfylvania*  and  New  York**,  feem- 
cd  even  to  queftion  his  Majefty*s  title  to  the  lands 
"''■  ^"    iifurped  by   the  French.     Others,  to  avoid  their 
: :;    .\'ibare  ia  the  burden,  framed  the  moil  trifling  ex- 


h 


*  ■'.!, 


."I       . 


^ci1i!oq^|o;•^^ 


r. 


\   1 


*;in. 


^3i 


cnfcs 


t    L        V 


^  '**  Yon  would  not  admit,  tliat  the  French  encroachments 
**  4nd  fortifications  on  the  Ohio  were  witjbip  our  limits, 
**  or  his  Majefty's  dominions,  thiereby  fccking  an  excufe  to 
**  avoid  doing  what  was  recjuired  of  you.'*  , 

,..,,,  J    ,,/j^      ,/J'j:;:  Gov.,  Morris's  xne/Tage  to  the  aflc»bly 
.  .  ofPcnnfylvania,  :2-.,  Nov.  lycc.-, 

••  *<  It" appears,  by  other  papers  your  honour  has  been 
**  pleaiTed  to  commanicste  to  us,  that  the  French  have  built 
'*  .\  fort  at  a  place  called  tlie  French  Creek,  at  a  confiderable 
*^  diftatjce  from  the  river  Ohio,  which  may,  but  does  nqt  by 
**  any  evidence  or  information  appear  to  ^s  to  be  an  invafion 
**  of  any  of  his  Majefty*s  colonies.**'*  ^  i^il:- ^lU  :1  :Ji.U..w>'.!i  i  ..• 

b'^ai  ;•'  Addre{sof  the  general  aflembly  to  Lieut.  Gov. 

De  Lancey,  23  April,  1754. 


n  the 

e  ihcy 
J  and 
tion  of 
o,  bc- 
f  afew 
I  thofe 
jjedl  of 
.     Ac* 
iccours 

Dm  the 
jarticu- 
*,  leem- 
e  lands 
(Id  their 
ling  ex- 
'  cnfcs 


limits, 
;xcufe  tQ 

'75  5: 


built 
ifiderable 
not  by 
ifion 


las 

ive 


lei 


inv; 


;ut-  Gov 


(  ^s  :) 

cufes.    Ney^  York,   however,  yotcd  5000  l...cur^     *  ^  5 f ' 
rency  in  aid  of  Virginia-,,  which,,  confideriag  her       '"^" 
own  fituation,  and  approaching,  diftrefs^  was.  no 

ungenerous  contribution.  ..•''r^jfttj   bouonjrl    .inj      ' 
The  Virginiains  ;n/cvcrthelefi  proceeded , in  their 

refolution  of  marching  abodjyLof  ^roop*  ^  ?.^f?  ?^^ 

tcdion  of  their  frontiers  :  and^paiTed  an  ,^At  in  Fe-  .,  j  .<f 

bruary  1754,  for  raifing  iq,qoo  1.   and  30^  :mer^,,  Fortes  itnitei. 

1  •  r-^  t     ITT  n  •    ^  J.  tinder  Col,' 

The  command,  was  given  to  QdLn  Wamjn^tsxrt^v  4  walhingtoi^, 
young  gentje^ian  of  great  bravery  and  diftinguiihcd 
merit.  By  his  Majcfty's  dire6bibn,  two  of  the  re- 
gular independent  companies  of  toot  at  New  York, 
were  ordered  to  the  frontier  of  that  dominion. 
They  embarked  for  Virginia  on  board  the  Centaur 
man  of  war -,  which  unfoftuiiiately  did  not  fail  irom 
thence  till  the  middle  of  June,  and  carrit^dJ'^He' mo- 
ney before  mentioned  to  the  alfiftancc  of  ihiif  eolo- 

....(;;■.". 
ny.       •,'>/?:   •.vfTiofi  uT  fi-y.-.-'i  ry'tii  '.n     ^  '*»J.m:  ltio  ^-/- 

Col.  Washington  began  his  march<    at  thcj  who  bad  a 
headof  his  little  army,  about  the  illof  JVJ^'y.  ,%0n  ^"c<:-<"*^»' 
the  28th  he  had  a  fkirtnilh  with  the  enemy,  of  i^e  enemy, 
whom  ten  were  flain,  and  about  twenty  made  pri- 
jfoners.     But  this  public-fpirited  officer  foon  expc- 
irienpcd  a  jvsverie  of  fortune.     Waiting  for  fu^phcr 
I  reinforcements,  he  was  aiatmed  with  an  account, 
[that  900  French  and  200  Indians  wc4  advancing 
from  the  Ohio  j  who  accprdingly  in  two  ^#ys  after 

came 


\'i 


.'if  7 5 4.  *'V^am^  up,  and'%  el^?gemcnt  iittimed^iafely  cri^^^^ 
s ^ J  ^^[  ,  Our  ttioops'^werc  biic  a  hiindftff  compared  to 

the  ^rtumbcr'ofth^  enemy,  donfiftingbnly  of  about 

three  hundcred   efFe(5tive  rtlcn.     After  a  vigorous 

'^(^fiftancd  for  three  hfoiirs,  ini  whi6R  ft  was  faid  near 

twb  hiihdred  of  th(^-Fr<!?nch  ahd  th^ir  Indian  allies 

But  wan  af- ^<5ri*flaih;  Col:'  Wafhington,  oblerving  the  great 

t^^f4»  ,     ^YtieVi66ty    bf  the   erfemy,    who  now    began   to 

.^itmb^rs. '     tajm^him  in  6nijrqiiarrers, found  hi mfelf  under  an 

ablobtr  itiecdfliicyof  fusbiiiiitting  t6  the  difagreeable 

icrrairthat  were.oflrtcd'himf*  ,  ]w>i.i    d 


II 


;r/A/- 


;::;;'-■  CO')  r  >>u'i':c:i..r!   -;. 


In 


n'* 


'»  •  "-t^' 


-^    ■     ■/ 


♦  The  third  of  July,  ,     ;  .„,, 

T'ftlllil terms  of  t'ipfiTbilVirrort  gif^t^d  by  Monf.  De  Villier, 

^  captain   and-  commander   of  the    infantry   of  his    Moiji 

■■  ^■'^'<?hj4fl*ratt    Majeflv.  fo  ihofe    Englifh   troops  acluallv    in 

,f  '   Ftrf.^'ife^y,  wkicl)   if  buiJt  on  the  land  9^  t|i^  ^king's 

dominions. 

As  our  intentions  have  never  been  to  tiouble  the  peace  j\nd 
liarmony  which  reigns  between  the  two  princes  in  amity*  but 
otily  ttt  revlsngre  the  aiiilniAktion  whicltha?  been  done  on  one  of 
our  officer**. -bearer  of,a  ftation^  as  ap^e.fs  by   hi,6  vri^in^s ; 

^IfoKJIiihdePainy  cftAlirtimertt  ort   t'ht  jancfs  in  the  dbmi- 


&1S, 


iiions  of  the  kir.j[r  my  mailer  ^,4i.pqf  thdfe  (:oaJidefbtions,  we 

'   stre  \villing  to  grant  protedion   and   favour    to  all  the  Enplifli 

that  ar^  in  th«^f«id  fort,  upon  the  conduioai  hereafter  meii^ 

tioned.  , 

^         '     Article  I.  , 
We  grant  the   Enj^Ii^li  commander,    to  letire  with    all  his 
^arriibn,  and  to  return  peaceably  into  his  dwn  country ';  and 
promife  toh|ndex  his  leceiyit^gany  infultc  from  usFfench,  andf 
to  rcflrain,  aft  niuch  as  fliail  be  in  our  power,  the  favageathat  ^ 
are  (Vtth'UjMi  lltT,.-  r~:.i-i'i'  C:   ,         :    i  .  i  <...     :^.::.: 

ARTIC1.E  ir.  'i 

''-That.lht^^gliih  bs  pchiiii\td  tb  march  out,   and  carry  | 
.,..,.,  '  every.' 


(     '7     ) 


ely  cnfu- 
)  pared  to 
of  about 
vigorous 
faid  near 
ian  allies 

the  great 
3egan  to 
under  an 
igreeable 


li- 


In    I 


I 

De  Villier, 
his   Mo^ 

acluallv  in 
th«  'king's 

:  peace  and 
amity>  but 
e  on  one  of 

tne  domi- 
rfetiors,  ,w^ 
tiip  Englifij 
eafcer  men- 


viih   all  liis 
jntry  ';  and 
^jfeiich,  and:^ 
ravages  that  ■{ 

and  carry! 
every  | 


Ih   this  a(5lIon  we  had  thirty   killed  and    fifty     I754« 
wounded.     The  French  were  obferved  to  be  afTid-    *    "^^    ' 
cd  by  a  confiderable  number  of  Indians,  who  had 
been  long  in  the  Englifli  alliance  :     Not  a  few  of 
them   were  known  to  be  Delawares,  Shawanefe,  Confc- 

quences  of 

and  of  the  Six  Nations  *.   On  the  furrender  of  our  this  defeat, 
camp,  they  fell  at  once  to  pillaging  the  baggage 
anJ  provifions ;  and   not  content  with  this,  they 

C  afterwards 

every  thing  with  them,  cvcept  the  ?.rtillery,  which  we  keep. 

Article  III. 

That  we  will  allow  the  Engli(h  all  rhe  honours  cfwar; 
and  that  they  (hall  march  out  with  drums  beating,  and  with 
a  fwivel  gun  ;---thac  we  are  willing  to  (hew  that  we  treat  thent 
as  friends. 

Article  IV. 

That  as  foon  as  the  articles  are  figned  by  both  parties,  they 
flrike  the  Engljdi  colours. 

Article  V, 

That  to-morrow,  at  break  of  day,  a  detachment  of  the 
French  (hall  make  the  garrifon  (lie  off,  and  take  pofTeflion  of 
the  fort  :  And  as  the  Englifh  have  a  few  horfes  or  oxen,  thpy 
are  free  to  hide  their  fifefts,  And  come  and  fearch  for  them 
when  they  have  met  their  horfes  :  And  that  they  may  for  this 
end  have  guardians,  in  what  manner  they  pl^^afe,  upon  condi- 
tion, that  they  will  give  their  word  of  honour,  not  to  work 
upon  any  building  in  this  place,  or  in  any  part  this  fide  the 
mountains,  during  a  year,  to  be  accounted  from  this  day. 
And  as  the  Engli(h  have  now  in  their  power  an  officer,  two 
cadets,  and  mo(l  of  the  prifoners  made  in  the  affailination  of 
Sieur  Defamonville,  that  they  promife  to  fend  them  back  to 
the  Fort  De  Du  Quefne,  fituate  on  the  Fine  River  :  And  for 
the  fecurity  of  this  article,  as  well  as  this  trraty,  MeflT.  Jacob 
Van  Bracham  and  Robert  Stobo,  both  captains,  (hall  be  put 
as  hoftages,  till  the  arrival  of  the  Canadians  and  French  above- 
mentioned.  We  oblige  ourfelves,  on  our  fide,  to  give  aa 
cfcort  to  return  in  fafety  thefe  two  officers  ;  a  duplicate  being 
made  upon  or  of  the  poft  of  our  blockade.     July  3,  1754, 

*  They  are  called  MIngoes  by  the  fouthera  Indians. 


n  • 


,1754,     afterwards  fhot  fome  of  the  horfcs  and  cattle,  ^nd 
s ^,--»    fcalped  two  of  the  wounded  *.    •      •; 

;    Against  this  cqndud,  Col.  Walhington  remon- 
ftrated  ,  but  all  his  arguments  made  but  little  im- 
prcITion  upon  them.     The  Canadians  delight   in 
...   .   ,       blood;  and  i-n  barbarity  exceed,   if  pofTiblc,    the 
very  Savages  themfelves.     Thus  the   French  re- 
mained maftcrs  of  the  field  ;  the  Indians  were  ri- 
veted in  their  defection;  his   Majefly's  arms    un- 
iuccefsful ;  and  our  frontiers  cxpofcd,   through  the 
ill-timed  parfimony  of  the  provinces.     The  enemy, 
on  the  other  hand,    wifely   improved  the  prefent 
ad  van  rage,  and  cre6led  forts,  to  fecure  to   them- 
felves the  quiet  polTelTion  of  that  fertile   country. 
How  evident  then  was  the  neceiTity  of  uniting  the 
power  of  the  Britifli  colonies  !  The  expediency  of 
a  plan  for  that  purpofe  had  been  before  confidered. 
Some  meafures  fcemed    alfo  abfolutely  requifite  for 
fupporting   our  Indian   interefl,    and   preventing 
their  total  declcnfion. 

Accordingly,  agreeable  to  his  Majefty's  orders. 

Grand  con.    ^^^  ^^^^  of  June  was  appointed  for  a  grand   con- 

grcfs  held  at  grefs  of  commiflaries  from  the    feveral  provinces, 

^"^'        to  be  held  at  Albany,  as  well  to  treat  with  the  Six 

Nations, 


i   ^o 


I 


il' 


.  *  Among  otTier  infraftions  of  the  capitulation,  the  deftruc- 
tlon  of  the  doftor's  box  ought  not  to  be  forgotten;  by  which 
means  our  wounded  were  barbaroufly  diftrefTed. 

Sec  Col.  Inncs*s  letter  of  12,  July,   1754. 


ttle,  and 

n  remon-r 
ittle  im" 
light   in 
blc,    the 
nch  re- 
wcre  ri- 
ms   un- 
iigh  the 
enemy, 
prefent 
I  them- 
ountry. 
ing  the 
ency  of 
fidered. 
fite  for 
''enting 

orders, 
i  con- 
i^inccs, 
he  Six 
itions, 

Jeftruc- 
'  which 

175:4. 


(     »9     ) 

Nations,  as  to  Concert  a  fcheme  for  a  general  union    i  y  r  ^, 

of  the  Britifh  colonics.     Mellengers  had  been  dif  ' ^ ' 

patched  to  the  Indian  caftles*  to  requeft  their  at-  Indians  de- 
tcndaiice  i  but  they  did  not  arrive  till  the  latter  end  ^^^^  an"ithc 
of  the  month-,  and  the  Mohawks,  who  live  bur  reai'^ns. 
40  rriilcs  didartr,  came  in  lalt.  This  occafioned 
various  fpcculations :  fome  imputed  it  to  fear  j  lelt 
the  Frencli,  in  their  abfence,  fhould  fall  upon  their 
countries :  Others  to  art,  -—  imagining  that  by  ej;« 
citing  our  jealoufy  of  their  wavering  difpoiitiwrn,  at 
fo  critical  a  juncture,  the  more  liberal  would  be 
the  prelents  mad6  them  by  the  feveral  govern- 
ments. Not  a  few  thought  it  an  artifice  of  Mr. 
Johnfon's,  who  expecting  to  rife  into  importance, 
from  the  reputation  of  a  mighty  influence  over  the 
Indians,  kept  them  from  a  punflual  attendance  ; 
being  very  confident  of  a  public  requeft  to  himfelf 
trom  the  commiflioner's,  to  go  up,  and  haften  their 
progrcfs.  There  was  the  higheft  evidence  of  the 
like  piece  of  policy  at  an  Indian  treaty,  during  Mr. 
Clinton's  adminiftration.  The  Indians  however  ac 
length  arrived,  tho*  fewer  In  number  than  was  ex- 
peded,  or  had  been  ufual  on  thofe  folemn  occafi- 
ons,     Hendrick,  a  noted  _  Mohawk  fachem  f ,  apo- 


•   >    <5        »  U 


'*  lofiized 


.  .'•  •  • '  ♦  ■ 


•J ft  i 


*  The  Indians,  call  th^Ir  villages,  which  are  only  furround- 
ed  with  pallifades,  cables.       ^    ".  .^  .  .  r 

t  A  fachem  is  a   warrior,  and  a  man  of  an  eftablifhed  re- 
putation for  his  wifdom,   and  bravery,  among  the  Indians. 


^  t 


( 


20 


) 


C( 


<c 


1 7  C4.     logizcd  for  the  delay  of  that  canton,  in  a  fpecch  to 

- — ^ '    this   cffedl :     "  There  was  (faid   he)  an  interview 

"  laft,   fall,  between  Col.  Johnfon  and  the  fix  na- 

**  tions,  at  Onondaga.     Our  brethren  of  the  other 

nations  reported,  that  his  fpceeh  to  us  was  con^ 

certed  by   the  Mohawks :  We  therefore  come 

"  laft,  to  prevent  any  ground  for  the  repetition  of 

*'  fuch  flanders,  with   regard   to  the  addrels  now 

**,  to  be  made  us  by  your  honour." 

Commiflion.       T UE  congrcls  having  been  Opened  on  the   i8th 

««,  and  how      -  . 

ranked.  of  June,  were  ready  to  treat  with  the  Six  Nations; 
and  on  the  29th,  after  fettling  difputes  between 
the  commilTioners  concerning  rank  and  precedence, 
Mr.  De  Lanccy,  the  Lieutenant  Governor  of  New- 
York,  addrefled  himfclf  in  ^  fpeech  to  the  Indians. 
•- — On  his  right  hand,  were  MefT.  Murray  and 
Johnfon,  two  of  the  council  of  New-York  5  next 
to  them,  Meff.  Wells,  Hutchinfon,  Chandler,  Par^ 
tridge,  and  Worthington,  commiflioners  from  the 
Mafiachufctts  Bay  :  Then  the  gentlemen  from 
New  Hampfhire,  MeiT.  Wyburn,  Atkinfon,  Ware, 
and  Sherburn  :  And  laft  on  that  fide,  MclT.  Hop, 
kins  and  Howard,  commiflloners  of  Rhodc-Iiland. 
On  his  left,  were  feated  MefT.  Chambers  and 
Smith,  two  other  of  his  Majefty's  council  for  New- 
York:  Then  tlie  Connedlicut  commiflloners,  Liei>- 
tenant  Governor  Pitkin,  Major  Walcot,  and  Coh 


f"  '  li. 


I      •    li.x.- 


,v 


•  lAwUii 


Williams 


I 


(       21       ) 


pecch  to 
itervicw 
e  fix  na- 
he  other 
vas  con" 
re  come 
cition  of 
reis  now 

he  1 8  th 

•Rations ; 

between 

cede  nee, 

ofNew- 

Indians. 

ray  and 

k  ;  next 

ler,  Par- 

rom  the 

n    from 

,  Ware, 

(T.  Hop* 

r-inand. 

ers   and 

or  New- 

s,  Liciw 

nd  Col. 

llianns  • 


Williams :  Aficr  them  Mcfl'.  Pcnn,  Peters,  Norris,    ^7 54- 
and  Franklin,  from  Pcnnfylvania  :  anJ  laft  of  all,   "^      *! 
Col.  Tafker  and  Major  Barnes,  from  Maryland. 

The  treaty  was    conduced  with  great  folemnity.  Indiam 
The  Indians  appeared  well  pleafed  with  theprelents  ^.  "  *  .'*'" 
from  the  fcveral  governments  •,    which,  compared  but  blame 
to  former   donations,    amounted   to  an  immenfe  °^'  ^°"  "  * 
value:   But  in  their anfwcr,  recriminated  upou  us 
the  defertion  of  our  fort  *  at  Saraghcoga  the  laft 
war  i  lamented  the  defencelefs  condition   of  our 
frontier  city  of  Albany  •,  and  extolled  the  better 
Condu(5i:  of  the  French,  in  fortifying  and  maintain- 
ing their  garrifons.  • 

The  Indians  being  difmiflfcd,  the  conferences 
were  continued  till  the  jithof  July.  The  com- 
miflioners  were,  both  for  abilities  and  fortune, 
fomc  of  the  moft  confiderable  men  in  North- Ame-  * 

rica.  The  fpeakers  however  were  not  many  ;  but 
of  thofe  who  fpoke,  fome  delivered  themfelves 
with  fmgular  energy  and  eloquence.  All  were  in- 
flamed with  a  patriot-fpirir,  and  the  debates  were 
;iervous  and  pathetic.  This  afTembly,  my  Lord, 
inight  very   properly  be  compared  to  one  of  the 

ancient 


*  Upon  the  difbanding  of  the  forces  rai/ed  for  the  Canada 
expedition  in  1746,  and  the  aflembly'a  difinclination  to  gar- 
rifon  it,  the  fort,  by  order  of  Mr.  Clinton,  was  burnt  and 
libandoned. 


"w.  ■;<' 


i'a; 


I  V»»*«  I  - 


(        22       ) 


1754. 


v_.. 


Plan  of  a 
union. 


Approved 
by   all,    ex< 
cept   De 
Lancey. 


Hischara£ter 
and  hiflory. 


ancient  Gicck  conventions,  for  fupporting  their 
expiring  liberty  againfl  the  power  ot  the  I'erfian 
empire,  or  that  Lewis  of  Greece,  Phihp  of  Ma- 
ccdon.  In  the  concliifion,  a  plan  was  concerted 
for  a  general  union  of  the  Britifh  colonies,  and 
creating  a  common  fund  to  defray  all  military  ex- 
pences  ;  and  a  reprelentation  of  their  prefcnt  flatc 
drawn  np  •,  which  were  agreed  to  be  hid  before  the 
King's  minifters.  Some  of  the  governments  have 
neverthelefs  declared  themfclves  avcrfe  to  this 
Scheme  •,  tho'  approved  at  the  time  by  every  mem- 
ber of  the  congrefs,  except  Mr.  Do  Lancey.  Un- 
accountable was  the  condud  of  this  gentleman  to 
cveral  of  the  provincial  deputies.  But  thofe  who 
were  bed  acquainted  with  his  character  and  love 
of  Iway,  afcribed  his  averfion  from  the  plan,  to  an 
apprehenfion,  that  Ihould  the  fame  take  place,  the 
fupreme  officer,  who  agreeably  to  it  was  to  prefidc 
in  the  grand  council  of  deputies  from  the  refpec- 
tive  colonies,  would  moll  probably  be  the  governor 
of  the  MaflachufettsBay  :  An  apprehenfion,  which 
reprcfled  his  own  afpiring  views  ;  and,  it  was 
imagined,  {lung  him  with  unfpeakable  chagrin. 

As  the  Lieutenant  Governor  will  appear,  in  the 
courfe  of  this  letter,  to  bear  a  principal  part  in  our 
public  tranfaaions,  it  will  be  neceflary,  before  I 

our  Lordfhip 


proceed    any  farther,    to  prcfeni 


w 


ith 


g  thfir 
I'crfun 
of  Ma- 
inccrtcd 
ies,  and 
tary  cx- 
cnt  (late 
:forc  the 
nts  have 

to  this 
ry  mem- 
y.  Un- 
eman  to 
10 fe  who 
and  love 
n,  to  an 
ace,  the 

prefidc 

s  refpec- 
rovernor 

1,  which 
it  was 
agrin. 
•,  in  the 
rt  in  our 
before  I 
^ordfhip 
with 


(    23    ) 

with  his  pi<n:urc   at  full  length.     Without  an  in-    17  ex. 
timatc  knowledge  of  that  gcnclcm;</f   hiftory  ^nd. 
genius,  it  will   be  impofilblc  co  corri-^rchcnd  his 
coadud,  or   trace  his    aftions  to   their    genuine 
fource..       .A  .  ,.,  ,  J.     '  ... 

I  Ie  is  the  cldefl:  branch  of  one  of  the  firft  faniilic* 
in  the  province.  Mis  f;ither,  a  French  refugee,  a 
gentleman  of  diftinguifhed  rank  in  this  city,  and 
who  here  acquired  a  large  fortune,  fcnt  hlna  for 
his  education  to  the  univerfjty  of  Cambridge.  He 
was.  a  youth  of  prompt  parts,  and  made  a  confider- 
able  progrefs  in  learning,  efpeciallv  in  the  clafTics- 
In  the  year  1729  he  was,  by  Governor  Montgo- 
mery's recommendation,  credited  one  of  his  Majcf- 
ty's  Council  of  New- York  •,  but  never  engaged  the 
public  attention,  till  the  time  of  Mr.  Cofby.  He 
became  then  very  famous.  With  this  governor  he 
took  part  in  moflor  all  of  hismeafurcs  —  meafures 
extremely  arbitrary,  and  produAive  of  an  adminif- 
tration  odious  and  turbulent.  Cofby,  in  return  for 
his  minifterial  fervices,  loaded  him  with  favours. 
Depofing  Chief  Juflice  Morris  (the  main  obftacle 
to  his  perilous  proje(5ls)  he  raifed  him  to  the 
firlt  feat  on  the  bench  *.     But  tho'  his  excellency 

hid 

*  Mr.  De  Lancey  was  not  educated  to  the  law;  but  having 
pent  fome  time,  after  his  return  from  England,  in  the  ftudy 
>f  that  fcience,  Gov.  Montgomery  appointed  him  fecond 
Lidi^e  of  the  fupreme  Court  of  Judicature. 


!'!■ 


I  'i 


. 


(    24   ) 

*  t 

1753*   ^^^  ^^^  difpofition  of  offices,  he  could  by  no  mC^rf^ 
delegate  the  afFedlions  of  the  people.     According-* 
ly,  our  politician   was    equally  honoured  and  def- 
pifed.     He  enjoyed  the  fmiles  of  the  governor, 
which  loaded   him  with  the  curfes  of  the  people  5 
was  carefied  by  the  former,  and  by  the  latter  ab- 
horred.    Cofby  leaving  a  fuccefTor  capable  of  go- 
verning  without   a    prompter,    the   chief  juftice 
found  it  necefTary  to  to  deface  the  memory  of  his 
former  condud,  by  cultivating  t  he  arts  of  popula- 
rity.    Mr.    Clarke,  who  fucceeded  *,  being  per- 
fedly    mailer  of  our  conflitution,  a  gentleman  of 
experience  and  penetration,  and  intimately  acquain- 
ted with  the  temper  of  the  people,  in  a  Hiort  t-ime 
r'*conciled  all  parties  ;  and  by  reftoring  the  public 
tranquility,  rendered  Mr.  De  Lancey*s  plodding 
abilities  utterly  ufelefs.     Hence  he  was  at  full  lei- 
fure  to  court  the   populace.     Suddenly  he  became 
transformed  into  a  patriot;  and,  Itrange  to  relate  ! 
without   a  fingle  adl  of  patriotifm.     His  uncom- 
mon vivacity,  with  the  femblance  of  affability  and 
eafe  •,  his  adroitncfs  at  a  jeft,  with  a  fhew  of  con- 
defcenfion  to  his  inferiors,  wonderfully  facilitated 
his  progrefs.     Thefe  piaufible  arts,  together  with 
his  influence  as  Chief  Juftice,  and  a  vaft  peribnal 

cfta^e 


efti 
trii 
am 
wei 
be( 
fup 
wa5 

hib 

gen 

ed 

wit! 

fole 

viri:' 

afTei 

ed  \ 

ibno 

fign 

fcom 

good 

hop< 

thro 

care 

prov 

mini 


opej 


*  fn  March,  1736. 


10  rnean^ 
cording-* 
and  def- 
pvernor, 

people  5 
atter  ab- 
le of  go- 
lf juftice 
►ry  of  his 
F  popula- 
ting per- 
leman  of 
acquairt- 
lort  dme 
ie  public 
plodding 
Lt  full  lei- 
e  became 
:o  relate  ! 

uncorn- 
D'lity  and 
w  of  con- 
■acilitated 
ther  with 

perfonal 
cfta^e 


(       25       ) 

eftatc  at  ufc,  all  confpired  to  fecure  his  popular 
triumph.     To  eftablifh  fuch  an  undue  power,  and 
amazing  influence,  would,  in  a  Grecian  common- 
wealth, have  expofed  a  man  of  lefs  ambition  and 
better  principles  to  thfc  oftracifm.    Mr.  Clark  being 
fuperfeded  by  Governor  Clinton  *,  Mr.  De  Lancey 
was  prefented  with  a  frefli  opportunity  for  the  ex- 
hibition of  his  political  genius.     Mr.  Clinton,  a 
gentleman  of  but  indiffcrenr  parts,  wholly  refign- 
ed   himfelf  into  his   hands.     Contenting  himfelf 
with  the  title  and  falary  of  Governor,  he  left  the 
fole  direflion  of  affairs  to  his  miniltcr,  who,  by 
virtue  of  his  late  acquired  omnipotence  with  the 
aflembly,  carried  all  his  points,  and  even  endear- 
ed him  to  the  people.     This  intimacy  fub filled  no 
longer  than  it  was  found   conducive   to   his  de- 
figns.     Having  obtained  from  Mr.  Clinton  a  new 
tommifTion  for  his   office  of  chief  Juftice  during 
good  behaviour  ;  and  flattering  himfelf    with  the 
hopes  of  another,  appointing  him  Lieut.  Governor^ 
through  the  interefl  of  his  friends  in  England,  he 
tared   not  how  foon  his  excellency  abdicated  the 
province,  nor  how  tcmpeftuous  he  rendered  his  ad- 
miniftration  •,  and  was  therefore  prepared  for  an 
open  rupture.     He  no  fooner  thought  himfelf  cap- 

t)  able 

*  Mr.  Clinton  arrived  as  Covernof,  72  Sept.  ij^i> 


1754. 


1 754. 


i     26     ) 

able  of  a(5i:ing  independently  of  the  Governor,  than, 
'  like  Sixtus  Quintus,  who  threw  afide  his    crutches 
the  moment  of  his  exaltation  to  the  popedom,  he 
put  ofFall  that  humble  devotion,  by  which  he  had  fo 
fatally  deceived  his  too  credulous  mafter,  and  open- 
ly fet  himfelf  at  defiance  againft  him.     Now  he  be- 
gan to  diftate,  rather  than   advife  :  and  inftead  o£ 
Sejanus,  chofe   to  be     Tiberius    himfelf.     Dining 
one   day    with  Mr.  Clinton,  and    infifting   upon 
fo  ne  fav'^onrite  point  with  great  imperioufnefs,  the  ^ 
Governor,  who  had  hitherto  very  cordially  fuffer^-d 
himfelf   to  be  led,  refufed  on  this  occafion  to  be 
driven.     The  Chief  Juftice  then  arofe  and  left  him; 
declaring,  with  an  oath,  he  would    make   his  ad- 
minifVration  uncaiy  for  the  futute  :  His  Excellen- 
cy   replied,  he  might  do  his  word.     Thus  they 
parted  -,    nor   were    ever    afterwards    reconciled. 
This  breach  gave  rife  to  the  contentions,   which 
fo  unhappily  imbroiled  our  provincial  affairs,  du- 
ring the  remainder   of  his  adminiftration.     The 
aiTembly  were  inflantly  inflamed.     He  who  before 
had  been  able   to  make  them  connive  at  very  un- 
juftifiable   fleps,  could  at  once  ftir   up  an  oppo- 
fition  to  the  mofl  unexceptionable  meafures.     Re- 
monftrances,  warm  and  virulent,  were  now  drawn 
up  ;  t^nworthy  their  own  dignity  to  offer,  and  re- 
plete \yith  the  grofTcft  language  to  his  Majefty's 

reptcfentative. 


:■) 


r,  than, 

:rntches 

om,  he 

e  had  fo 

d  open- 

1  he  be- 

ftead  of 

Dining 

5   upon 

^fs,  the 

fufFerf-d 

[1  to  be 

it  him; 

his  ad- 

xcellen- 

js  they 

mcilcd. 

which 

rs,  du- 

The 

before 

ery  un- 

oppo- 

Rc- 

drawn 

and  re- 

ajefty's 

itative. 


\ 


(       27      ) 

reprefentatlve.      Thus    was  formed   againft   Mr. 
Clinton  a  powerful  party,  which  ceafed  not,  while 
he  continued    at  the   helm,  to  harrafs  and  perplex 
him.    To  fuch  an  exhorbitant  length  did  tliey  car- 
ry  their  oppofition,  as  to  throw  off  the  reftraint  of 
humanity  ;  They   had  even  recourfe  to  force  and 
violence.     Nay,   a  partifan  of  the   Chief  Juftice, 
in   defiance  of  the  facred  rights  of  the  magiftracy 
and  the  law  —  to  (hew  his  refentment  againft  Mr. 
Clinton  and  his  adherents  —  aflaulted  the  mayor  j 
whipped  the  fherifF;  damned  the  Governor -,  and 
ftabbed  his  phyfician.     My  Lord,  wc  became  the 
fport  and   contempt  of  our  neighbours  •,  and  it  is 
beyond  con  tradition,  that  Mr.    De   Lancey,  by 
blowing  up  the  coals  of  contention,  did  the  pro- 
vince more  injury,  then  he  will   ever  be  able  to  re- 
pair.    Nor  is  there  any  rcafon  to  doubt,   that   the 
enormous  power  of  this  gentleman,  and  the  fer- 
ment raifed  againft   M'    Clinton,  occafioned  the 
39th  article  of  the  king's   inftrudions  to.Sir  Dan- 
vcrs  Oft)orn  j  which  appears  purpofely  calculated 
to  render  our  future  Governors  independent  on  his 
influence   over  the  aflembly  :  For  a  law  indifinite, 
making  provifion   for  the  falary   allowed  by  the 
King  to  his  Governors  ;  and  competent  falaries  to 
all  judges,    juftices,  and  other  neceflary  officers 
and  minifters  of  government  —  fuch  a  law,  I  fay, 

would 


175+- 

y 


(i  ,;■■; 


I754- 


(     28     ) 

would  eff*e(5lually  render  a  Governor  independent 
of  the  aflembly,  and  confeqiiently  of  any  undue  in- 
fluence in  it.  Nor  without  fuch  independence,  or 
an  abridgement  of  Mr.  De  Lancey*s  power,  by 
reducing  him  to  his  primitive  private  flation,  do  I 
fee  any  probability  of  the  cxtin(5lion  of  that  party- 
ipirit,  which  hath  fo  long  difturbed  the  tranquility! 
and  injured  the  public  weal  of  the  colony.  Mr. 
Clinton,  being  fuppcrfeded  by  Sjr  Danvers  Ofborn, 
*  a  gentleman  of  a  mod  amiable  moral  character, 
retired  into  the  country  ;  from  whence  he  propof- 
ed  to  embark  for  Great-Britain.  The  Chief  Juf- 
ticc,  notwithftanding  his  long  declared  enmity,  and 
unwearied  induftry  to  cmbarrafs  his  adminillration, 
had  now—  the  humility,  fhall  I  call  it/*  —  to  dif- 
patch  a  melTenger  to  him,  with  defign  if  pofTible 
to  procure  an  accommodation  —  in  order  to  fe- 
cure  his  favour  in  England,  when  he  could  no 
longer  diflrefs  him  in  America,  It  were  difficult  to 
determine,  whether  this  required  a  higher  degree 
of  afTurance  or  fervility.  But  it  is  no  uncommon 
thing,  to  behold  the  fame  perfon  faftidious  and 
fawning,  fupercilious  and  fyeophantic.  Mr.  Clin- 
ton, far  from  an  implacable  enemy,  began  to  be 
foftcned-,  when  his  lady  (who  if  born  among  the 

Scythians, 


•  Sir    Danvers  On)orn  arrived  at  New- York,  the  7th  of 
Oaobsr,  1-53. 


<     »9    ) 


)endent 
ulue  in- 
nce,  pr 
yer,  by 
m,  do  I 
t  party- 
iqiiility, 

f.     Mr. 
Ofborn, 
larader, 
propof- 
lief  Juf- 
iity,  and 
[ftration, 
-  to  dif- 
poflible 
er  tofe- 
uld  no 
cult  to 
degree 
lommon 
)us  and 
•.  Clin- 
to  be 
mg  the 
'thians, 

yih  of 


Scythians,  had  been  the  Thaledris  of  antiquity ;     1 7  54- 
.unravelling  the  fecret,  fruftrated  at  once  all  ex-    *^     "^      ' 
pedlations  of  a  compofkion  -,  and  gave  the  pleni- 
potentiary fuch   a  volley   of  in-'«-'^ive  againft  his 
conftitucnt,  as  rendered  all  future  overtures  intirc- 
lyhopelefs.  "^ 

On  the  death  of  Sir  Danvers  Ofborn  *,  equally  His  appoint. 
nncxpededand  deplored,  xMr.  De  L  'licey  publifh-  ^'■■"^  ^^  ^^^ 

^     '  ^  '   *•  government, 

ed  the  commifTion  he  hadjuft  received,  app'oinc- andfyilemof 
inc:  him  Lieutenant  Goverrwr.     lie   vvas  now  to  ^   " 
a(ft  a  part  intirely.  new,  and  demanding  t  le  full 
exertipn  of  his  political  dexterity.    In  the  ilrft  place, 
he  had  to  convince  the  miniftry  ot  his  utmofl  ef- 
forts to  carry  the  King's  inflructions  in  the  houfe 
of  reprefentatives  :  And  in  the  next,  in  order  to 
preferve  his  popularity  with  the  afTembly,  and  not 
in  the  moft  flaf^rant  manner  counterad  his  avowed 
principles,  he  was  to  fatisfy  them,  that  in  reality 
he  by  no  means  cxpecfted    their   compliance  with 
them.     To  execute  the  former  part  of  this  plan  — 
in  his  fpeech  of  the  31II:  of  OdloBer,   lysS^  to  the 
council  and  general  aflembly,  he  fays,—  "You  Hisfpeechta 
"  willperceive  by  the  39th  article  of  hisMajefty'sin-  the  council 
"  ftruaions  to  Sir  Danvers  Ofborn,(copies  of  which  ^J^^^^'""" 
''  I  fhali  herewith  deliver  you  f)  how  highly  hisMa- 

"  jelly 

*  Thts  happened  on  the     12  th  Oftober,  1753. 

t  The  39th  inftruftion  was  publifhed  in  one  of  our  news- 

papers  . 


l\ 


'l;i 


'J: 


1754. 


r  30  ) 

'*  jefty  is  difpleafed  at  the  negleft  of,  and  contempt 
"  fliewn  to,  his  royal  commiflion  and  inftruftions, 
"  by  your  pafling  laws  of  lo  extraordinary  a  nature, 
'*  and  by  fuch  your  unwarrantable  proceedings, 
*'  particularly  fet  forth  in  this  inftrudion  :  Hence 
*'  alfo  his  Majefty's  royal  pleaiure  as  to  thefe  mat- 
''  ters  will  appear,  and  what  he  expe^ls  from  you. 
<■'  On  this  head,  I  muft  obferve  to  you,  that  by 
"  our  excellent  conftitution  the  executive  power 
"  is  lodged  in  the  crown  :  That  all  government 
**  is  founded  on  a  confidence,  that  every  perfon 
*'  will  difcharge  the  duty  of  his  ftation  ;  and  if 
''  there  fhculd  be  any  abufe  of  power,  that  the 
"  legal  and  regular  courfe  is  to  make  application 
"  to  his  Majefty,  who  having  a  paternal  tender- 
*'  nefs  for  all  his  fubjefls,  is  always  ready  to  hear 
'*  and  redrefs  their  grievances :"  and  then  addref- 
fing  himfelf  to  the  aflembly  in  particular  —  "  I 
"  muft  earneftly  prefs  it  upon  you,  that  in  pre- 
*'  paring  your  bill  for  the  fupport  of  government, 
*'  and  other  public  fervices,  you  pay  a  due  regard 
"  to  his  Majefty's  plea{ijre  fignified  in  his  inftruc- 
tions ;  and  frame   them  in   fuch  a  manner,  as 

'*  when 


papers  ;  and  re-printed  in  Enpland.  The  publication  ©f  it 
was  thought  to  have  been  intended  to  excite  the  popular 
clamour  ;  and  it  occafioned  the  refentment  of  the  miniftry. 
It  is  worth  remarking,  that  copies  of  feveral  other  inftru^ions 
were  exprefly  ordered  by  hi^Majefly  to  be  laid  before  the  afTcm- 
bl^  ;  but  no  fuch    dirtdlions  were  given  with  refpcdt  to  this. 


a 


iC 


c« 


■^^IWUJF 


itcmpt 
{^ions, 
nature, 
:dings. 


|ner,  as 
'*  when 

tion  ©f  it 

popular 

miniftry. 

ftruftions 

aFem- 


he 


this. 


(     3'     ) 

"  when  laid  before^ mc  for  my  aflent,  I  may  give    17^4.. 

«'  it  confillcnt  with  my    duty    to   his  Majefty."  * ^ ' 

What  Lnink  you,  my  Lord  ?  could  your  favourite 
Garrick  have  perfonatcd  Richard  the  Third  in  a 
livelier  manner,  than  this  gentleman  the  real  advo- 
cate for  the  royal  infVrudion  ?  —  Could  the  man, 
who  but  a  day  or  two  before  had  intrigued  with 
the  members  how  to  elude  that  very  inflruclion, 
preferve  his  gravity,  while  afling  fuch  a  tragi- 
comical farce  ?  —  tor  that,  my  Lord,  was  the 
method  in  which  he  performed  the  feconJ  part  of 
I  his  plan.  As  his  Majefty's  reprefentative,  he  was 
obliged  to  urge  their  compliance  with  feemingfin- 
cerity  and  warmth — but  as  James  DeLancey,  Efq-, 
their  old  friend  and  beft  adviler,  it  was  his  real  fen- 
timent,  that  never  ought  they  to  fubmit. 

Matters  being  thus  prcvioufly  adjuftcd,  the 
afTembly  in  their  addrefs  ftudioufly  avoid  a  cate- 
gorical anfwer  with  refpe(5b  to  the  indefinite  fup- 
port  :  But  to  gratify  his  honour,  and  blaken  the 
memory  of  Mr.  Clinton,  that  he  might  not  pre- 
judice him  in  England,  they  make  ufe  of  this 
memorable  cvafion  -—  "  On  reading  the  39th  ar-  Aflcmbly's 
*'  tide  of  his  Majefty's  inflrudions  to  Sir  Dan-  cvafivean- 
"  vers  Ofborn,  your  honour's  immediate  predeccf- 
"  for,  we  are  extremely  furprifed  to  find,  that  the 
*'  public     trtnfaflions  of  this    colony  have  been 


n   ■ ' 


m 

r 


(  32  ) 

*'  fo  malicioiifly  mlfreprcfentcd  to  our  moft:  gra- 
"  cious  Sovereign.     We  can,  Sir,  with  truth  and 
*'  juftice  affirm,    that  his  Majefty  has  not  in  his 
"  dominions  a  people  more  firmly,  and  that  from 
**  principles  of  real  affeflion,  devoted  to  his  per- 
"  Ton,  family,  and  government,  than  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  colony.     And  we  arc  greatly  at  a 
"  iofs  to  diicover,  in  what  inflances,    the  peace 
"and  tranquility  of  the  colony  have  been  diiturb- 
*'  cd,  or  wherein  order  and  government  have  been 
"  fubvettcd.     If  the  courfe  of  juftice  has  been  ob- 
"  ftpjflcd,  or  in  any  cafe  perverted,  it  has  been 
"  by  thedireftlonj  or  through  the  means,  of  Mr. 
"  Clinton  late  Governor  of  this  province^    who 
"  fent   peremptory   orders   to  the  judges,  clerk, 
"  and  fheriff  of  Duchefs  County,  to   ftay  procefs^ 
*'  and   ftop    the  proceedings  in  feveral    cafes   of 
private  property,  depending  in  that  court  -,  and 
who  did,  in  other  counties,  fommiflionate  judges 
"  and  juflices  of  known  ill  characfters,  and  extreme 
ignorance  :   One  ftood  even  prefented  for  per- 
'  jury  in  the  lupreme  court  of  this  province,  whom 
he  rewarded  with   the  office  of  afliftant  judge  j 
*'  and  others   were  fo  fhamefully   ignorant  and  il- 
**  literate,  as  to  be  unable  to  write  their  own  names. 
*"  From  whence  we  greatly  fear,  that  juftice  has 
**  in  many  cafes  been  partially,  or  ve|:y  unduly  ad- 
••  miniftred."  I  Shall 


tt 


a 


C(, 


cc 


as 


ft  gra- 
ith  and 

in  his 
tt  from 
ii  pcr- 
inhabi- 
tly  at  a 

peace 

lifturb- 
ve  been 

een  ob- 
is been 
of  Mr. 
■i    who 
,  clerk, 
procefsi 
afcs   of 
t  ;  and 
■  judges 
extreme 
for  per- 
;,  whom 
judge  i 
;  and  11- 
names. 
lice  has 
3uly  ad- 
Shall 


(     33     ) 

I  SHALL  not  trouble  your  Lordlhip  with  a  vindi-    1754, 
cation   of  Mr.  Clinton  •,  but  only  obfcrve — that  ' ^""^ 

Obfervationft 

the  fuits  commenced  in  Duchcs  County  were  by  on  this  ad- 

defcrtersagainft  their  Captains*  V  that  the •gover- 

'  't'»" 
nor,  who  was  no  lawyer,  afTured  the  houfe,  his 

letters  to  the  juftices  were  written  unadvifedly,  and 
with  precipitation  ;  and  that  if  any  man  was  injur- 
ed,   he  would  readily   compenfate   his   damages. 
And  as  to  the  charge  of  appointing  igriorant  juf- 
tices, it  lies  with  equal  truth  againft  all  our  gover- 
nors,   (Mr.   De   Lancey    himfetf   not   excepted) 
who,    to    influence    eledlions,    have    gone    irtto 
an  unjuftifiable   practice  of  intrufting  blank  com- 
mifllons  with  certain  favourites  in  the  rcfpeftivc 
counties,  impowcred  to  place   and  difplace  civil 
and  military  officers  atthci'r  pleafure.    Thefe  elec- 
tion jobbers  are  generally  the  Court  members  in  af- 
fembly  :  And  decency,  my  Lord,  fliould  havdin* 
diiced  them  to  ftifle  the*  ridiculous  alTertion,  that 
Mr.  Clinton  rewarued  a  man  for  being  perjured-, 
as  well  as  the  iriore  pertinent  inveflive  againft  the 
dangerous  nfag^c  juft  mentioned,  for  corrupting 
the  houfe  of  reprefcntatives.  —  But  to  difgrace  Mr. 
Clinton  was  expedient  to  the  Lieut.  Governor  i  and 
hence  this  attack,  upon  the  former.    '       • . 

£  ■  t   Upon 

*  Capiaift/  of  i';ic  levies  raifsd  for  the  Canada  expedition  in  1 467. 


rr 


II 


I  .. 


ih 


^  • 


.  \m  ) 


:  -f  O- 


^75+*      :,  Upon  his  honour's  advancement  to  the  govern- 


^^*  •■>^y—ft<  •  «M«# 


:d   to 
the  Licat. 
Cjovernwr, 


^„  nicnc,   the  prcfs  laboured  with  addrcflcs ;  and  the 

and  fulfomc  incenfe. offered  upon  the  pccafion,  might  have  per- 
fumed the  whole  temple  of  Delphos.     It  was  not 
enough,  tliat,  agreeable  to  anticnt  ufage,  he  was 
prcfcnted  with  the  compliments   of  public  bodies 
alone.     It  was  necelfary,  from  the  number  of  ad- 
drefles,  to  difplay  his  extenfive  influence,  and  the 
univerfal  joy  ---  thereby,    if  poflible,    to   lay  the 
foundation  of  his  continuance  in  the  adminiRration. 
Accordingly,  the  very  militia  officers  apd  fupervi- 
fors  of  Queen's  County  (a  motley   afiemblage  !) 
were  made  to  groan  out  their  afpir^tions  for  riiis 
aufpicious    event  —  "  Oh ! —  that  his   gracious 
••  Majefly  would  be  pleafed  to  confirm  and  fix  you, 
«*  for  a  long  time,  in  this  exalted  ftation."     Never 
have  I  fcen  an   infignificant  interjcdlion  more  in- 
fignificantly     employed.      To    fo    extravagant  a 
pitch,  my  Lord,  did    this  exuberant  ardor  arrive, 
that  wc  at  length  found  him  cloathed  with  an  in- 
communicable attribute   of  the  Deity   himlelf  — 
even   his  immutable  moral   reditude.      "  Thefc 
*'  things  in  you,  (fay  they)  are  not  fo  properly  cal- 
"  led  virtues,  as  natural  endowments..  You  will 
"  not,  you  CANNOT  ad  otherwifc  than  you  do." 
Vilth/uch  fujiian  can  feme  men  be  rcgale^J  :  and 

by 


/ 


/ 


T 


:  govern- 

;  and  the 

have  per- 

c  was  not 

:,  he  was 

ic  bodies 

cr  of  ad- 

,  and  the 

)   lay  the 

liRration. 

I  fupcrvi- 

nblage  !) 

,s  for  riiis 

rrracious 

d fix  you. 

Never 

more  in- 

vagant  a 

>r  arrive, 

h  an  in- 

mielf— . 

Thefc 

erly  cal- 

yon  will 

3U  do." 

cj  :  and 

by 


by  fuib  fujlian  is   oftentimes   a   whole  nation  Je-    ^75+* 
Kided.  "  •   ^ , ;  .... 

To  proceed  in  the  characler  cf  this  remarkable 
American  —  He  is  a  perlbn  of  quick  apprehenfion, 
and  ex^eiifive  acquaintance  with' the  law  j  which  he 
acquired  with  incredible  application,  to  obliterate 
the  indifferent  figure  he  made,  when  firfl-  elevated 
to  the  chief  I'eatyn  the  bench,  to  ferve  thepurpoUs 
of  Governor  Cofby.     Without  the  tilents,  he  has 
all  the  ambition  of  a  Rfppenla.     His  thirft  aft^r 
populariry,  which  in  him  is  a  ntere  engine  of  Itate, 
harh  almoU  banidicdall  public  fpirit  •,  atfd  the  tri^ 
umphs   of  power  occafioned  the  exile  of  common 
fenfe.     Apprehenfive  of  the  diminution  of  his  own 
luftre,  his  jealoufy  will  not  admit  a  competitor  ; 
but  fets  him  at  mortal  odds  with  a  rifing  independ- 
ent fpirit,  left  it  be  rewarded   with  popular  favour, 
and  thence  refult  into  popular  intereft  —  in  deroga- 
tion of  his  own  fovereign  influence.     Hence,  who- 
ever would  accomplifh  a  patriot  meafure,  muft  ei- 
ther obtain  his  leave  j  and  then    he    arrogates  to 
himfelf  the  merit  due  to  its  author;  or  carry  it  by 
mere  ftratagem,  without  which  he  may  be  fure  of 
a  difappointment.     In  the  latter  cafe,  he  has  gene- 
rally  addrefs  enough  to  be   revenged  on  the  pro- 
jector, by  rendering  both  him  and  his  projcd  uni- 
verfally  odious.     Some' among  us  fee  thefe   arts; 

ft.  V  .  ■ 

rrany 


Klsjealoury; 


i 


»' 


(  36 


; 


<-, 


!.i 


tnd 


univer- 


jjtA,  many  rufpctfl  tiiem ;  few  dare  mention  tliem ;  and 
fewer  (liU  oppofe  them.  Thus  a  people,  who 
would  by  no  means  be  forcibly  deprived  of  their  li- 
berties, poft  into  voluntary  bondage  :  and  they 
\vho  would  fcorn  a  vafiUlage  to  the  greateft  mo- 
narch, become  dupes  to  a  didator  of  their  own 
creation.  .  .^-    '       . 

Or  all  provincial  affairs  he  is  the  uncontrouled 
fai  influenc*.  ,^ireaor.     As  Chief  juRicc,  great  is  his   intered 
in  the  counties  :    wich  that  interefl  he  commands 
clf(5tionsf  with  his  fway  in  elcflions   he  rules   the 
aflfrmbly  :   and  with  his  fovereignty  over  the  houfe 
controuls  a   governor.      His   influence  with   the 
members  of  the  aflembly  being  the  main  fource  of 
I)is  exorbitant  power,  never  will  he  frrve  the  Crown 
at  the  rifque  of  a  diflTcntion  with  the  houfe.     He 
will  only  Hand  by  a  governor  while  at  his  devotion, 
and  landing  fair  with  the  people ;  but  in  cafe  of  a 
rupture,   inftantly  facrifice  prerogative  on  the  altar 
of  popularity.     His  own   intereft  is  his  idol,  and 
cvfiy  thing  elfe  made  fubfervient  to  procure  it  ve- 
neration and  eflcem.     The  men  who  are  his  great- 
eft  tools,  are  generally  by  himfelf  the  moft  defpif- 
cdi  and  fometimes  treated  with  defpite  and  infiilr. 
If  they  difcover  the  leaft  freedom  of  refentmcnt 
(which  few  of  them  dare  difcover),  he  can  with  a 
fmilc,  or  a  joke,  or  a  promife,  or  a  bottle,  at  once 

difTipate 


I 


difTipj 

to  the 

threat 

dark  i 

render 

down, 

pleafes 

and  ev 

mony 

fuppor 

tion,  ir 

mife  fu( 

dctermi 

Shoi 

extreme 

virtue,  j 

pie,  whc 

hiscontr 

queftion 

and  aftr 

your  yoi 

I  am  CO] 

merit. 

are  ofter 

led  and  t 

bewitches 

crafty  fee 


:-l' 


(     37     ) 

ililTipate  the  ftruggling  rcfolution,  and  n^\.\ct  tficm  1 7  54. 
to  their  primitive  obfcquioiirnefs.  By  hints  -*•  by  ^— ^^"~ 
threats  and  blandiHiments  —  by  emifTaries  -t-  by 
dark  infinuations  and  private  cabals,  he  is  able  to 
render  any  rfieafure  hateful  or  popular  —  to  piiit 
down,  or  raife  up,  whom,  ^V'hfn•,  and  what  he 
pleafcs.  Nay,  my  Lord,  I  will  venture  to  afBrm— 
and  every  man  in  the  province  muft  bear  me  telli- 
mony  —  that  while  his  influipnce  continues  to  be 
fupported  with  his  office  of  chief  juflice,  no  opera- 
tion, in  which  this  colony  is  concerned,  can  pro- 
mife  fuccefs,  fhould  this  monopolizer  of  power  be 
determined  to  obftrufl  it.        "        "   '  *       * 

Should  it  now  be  inquired,  Mufl:  not  a  man  fo  Rcflrfliom 
extremely  popular  be  ncceflarily  poflcITed  of  eminent  °"  popular 
virtue,  and  warmly  devoted  to  the  weal  of  the  peo. 
pie,  who  thus  cordially  refound  his  fame,  fubmit  to 
hiscontroul,  and  agree  to  adorn  his  triumph  ?  The 
queftion  can  only  come  from  a  novice   in  hiftory, 
and  a  ftranger  to  mankind.     In  the  judgement  of 
your  your  LordQiip,  who  is  deeply  read  in  both, 
I  am  confident  that  popularity  is  no  indication  of 
merit.     With  the  deluded  mulitude  the  beft  men 
are  often  unpopular  —the  mod  pernicious,  extol- 
led and  adored.     The  people  are  ever  ready  to  be 
bewitched,  cheated,   and  cnflaved   by   a  powerful  ' 
crafty  fcducer :   and,  what  is  worfe,  ever  ready  to 

facrifice 


racrit. 


(H 


"1 
-if 


'{ 


'R 


^1 


;;;■ 


(     3«     ) 


/ 


■IK? 


^  ij 


,tt     ; 


i 


','1 


'I 


^754"    ^3^^^^^^^  whoever  would  difabufe  and  releafe  them. 
*— V      '.The  fame  people  who  could  without  emotion  be- 
hold a  Sidney  bleeding  in  defence  of  public  liberty, 
could  commit  a  riot  in  refcuing  a  Sachevercl  for 
preaching   fcdition,    and   fubverting  the   nation. 
5four  Loidfhip  remembers  that  Maflanello,  in  the 
.  Ihort  fpa'^e  often  days,  was  a  poor  fifhennan,  —  a 
popular  incendiary,  —  a  fovereign  yitcroy,  -—  ilrip- 
.  pcd  of  his  honours,---treated  like  amalcfaflor,  — 
knocked  on  the  head,  —  and  thrown  into  a  ditch. 
^  Who,  in  fine,  was  more  popular  than  the  pellilent 
.  ClodiiiS,  except,  perhaps,  the  more  pellilent  Cata- 
line  ?  'Twas  therefore  wellobferved  by  the  protec- 
tor Cromwell,  that  the  very  men  who  followed  him 
with  acclamations  and  torrents  of  flattery,  would 
with  the  fame  demonftrations  of  joy    accompany 
him  to  the  gallows. 

Thus,  my  Lord,  I  have  ^^refented  you  with  a 
faithful  portrait  of  the  Lieut.  Governor  of  New- 
York,  who  is  to  bear  no  fmall  fharc  in  the  public 
affairs,  of  which  1  have  the  honour  to  cranfnur 
•  your  Lordfhip  an  account  -  -  a  portrait,  under 
which  there  had  been  no  need  ot  fixing  a  name  to 
direft  to  the  original,  thofe  who  have  the  leaft 
knowledge  of  that  gentleman's  charafler. 

Charafter  of      \Vh  iLE  thcfe  things  were  trania^ing  at  Albany, 

Mr.  Thomas 

Pownal.        Mr   Pownal,  brother  to  John   Fownal,  E!q ;  one 


T 


i 


ct 


I 


I 


:  them, 
ion  be- 
liberty, 
ercl  for 
nation. 
>,  in  the 
in,  —  a 
—  ftrip- 

flor,  — 
a  ditch, 
peflilent 
nt  Cata- 
j  protec- 
wed  him 
',  would 
:ompany 

u  with  a 
of  New- 
e  public 

ranfnuc 
under, 
name  to 

he  leaft 


Albany, 

:iqi  one 
•       of 


■9 


1 


(     39    ) 

of  the  fecretarles^tothe  Board  of  Trade,  was  upor? 
the  fpbt.  This  gentleman  came  over  to  America 
with  Sir  Danvers  Ofborn,  in  quality  of  his  private 
fccretary;  though  ii  was  imagined  by  many,  he 
was  defigncd  to  be  an  afTiftaiit  to  him  in  tlie  exer- 
cife  of  the  government.  He  is  fomething  of  a 
fcholar,  but  a  confufed  reafoner  •,  and  in  his  flile 
perplexed  ;  and  in  that  ufefuUeil  of  all  fcicnces, 
the  knowledge  ot  mankind,  he  is  a  mere  novitiate  : 
without  the  latter,  your  Lordjhip  knows  that  rther 
acquirements  are  comparatively  of  fmall  account, 
iTi  the  management  of  public  bufinefs.  To  be  on- 
ly learned,  is  frequently  to  be  vain,  oflentatious, 
andobftinate  j  luch  a  one,  in  a  word,  asTertullian 
defcrib'iis  the  moft  learned  among  the  heathens, 
**  an  animal  of  glory."  This  gentleman  is  fond 
of  being  conudered  in  an  important  light,  Infati' 
able  of  praife,  he  can  not  only  hear  himfeif  flatten 
edi  bu;^  what'is  more  unaccountable  in  a  man  of 
tolerable  fenfe,  can  flatter  himfeif.  He  is  a  pcrfon 
of  uncommon  application,  and  a  good  memory. 
By  dint  of  induftry,  and  an  accefs  to  the  papers 
in  the  Plantation  Board  Office,  he  has  acquired 
fame  knowledge  of  American  Affairs  :  but  fo  keen 
is  his  appetite  for  promotion,  that  he  cannot  brook 
the  thoughts  of  a  gradual  advancement.  He  is  for 
galloping  into  preferment :  and  fo  intent  on  the 

contemplation 


1754- 

f 


■  u 
1 ' 


■I-' 


!.! 


'% 


i  .40  ) 

I  J,  r.^j    (pntcmplation  of  h.l$  fgture  grandeur,  as  to  lofc  all 
V:— vr-rH  gatipnf:^  ip  earning  it.    5cingmore  fkilkdin  books 
than  men,  he  is  very  abrupt  in  giving  a  fcholaflic 
turn    to  converfation^ .  in  order  to  difplay  his  eru- 
dition,    Eyer  ready  to  cpntradid  :  himfclfimpa- 
tjant  of  Gontradiftion.     But  wonderful  is  his  knack 
at  pluming  himfelf  with  the  'chemes  and  inventions 
of  others  ;  and,  with  the  daw  in  the  fable,  fliining 
in  a  borrowed  drefs :  a  remarkable  inftance  of  which 
1  Ihall  give  your  Lordfliip  in  the  following  anec- 
dote y  as  charefterittic  of  a  perfon,  who  will  ap- 
pear  to  have  had  fome  confiderable  influence  in  the 
Anecdous      courfe  of  American  tranfi./  '"^         Dufing  the  fit- 
pkcc  he  p^b  ^^"^  ^^  ^^^  congrels,  it  was  fcarce  poflible  to  pre- 
lifhed.  vent  part  of  their  fcntiments  from  tranfpiring.  The 

fcheine  of  a  Naval   armanrient  on  Lake  Ontario, 
projected  by  Lieut.  Governor  Clark,  before  the 

Jate  yfm  fubmitted  to  the  then   miniftry  5    and 

•  --■•■111  ...       .      ....  ,   . 

^ONV  ftrongly  recommended  by  the  cprnmifioners  of 
the  Maflachufetts  Bay  -,,  by  fome  m/:  j  ns  Qr  other 
happned  to  be  hinted  without-doors  'vir,  Pownal, 
intent  upon  rifwg  into  fignificance  aUiO  jg  the  co- 
lonies, chole  not  to  (lip  fo,  favourable  an  opportu- 
nity of  diftinguiiliing  himfelf,  as  he  could  now  lay 
hold  of,  from  thefc  whifpered  intelligences.  He 
accordingly  drew  up  fome  loofe  inH'gefledpropofals, 
with  refpcft  to  American  affair^.      Among  other 

trite 


{     41     ) 


lofeall 
n books 
hoiaflic 
his  cru- 
[f  impa- 
s  knack 
/^entions 
fhining 
)fwhich 
ig  anec- 
will  ap- 
e  in  the 

the  fit- 
;  to  pre- 
ig.  The 
Ontario, 
fore  the 
/  ;  and 
ioners  of 
>r  other 
Pownal, 

the  CO- 
pportu- 

now  lay 

tcs.    He 

ropofals, 

ng  other 

trite 


■ite  fentimcnts,  he  urged  this  fcheme  as^a  ncNv^un- 
fK)u»ht-.of  meafure,  abfolutcly  requifite  to  fecure 
the  command,  and  preferve  the  furr  trade  of  thofe 
inland  leas.  This  he  delivered  to  fome  of  the 
members  of  the  congrcfsto  be  communicated  :  and 
afterwards  tranfmitted  a  copy  to  England  ;  chal- 
lenging to  himfeif  tne  fole  merit  of  being'  the  ori- 
ginal author  of  fo  ufeful  and  neceffary  an   expedi- 


754. 


ent 


^    .'- 


.1 


While  the  congrefs  was  held  at  Albany,  Gbver-  Shlrlcyerefb 

nor  Shirely,  everjealous  of  French  machinacions,  ^''''ts  on  ken- 

,  •  ■        ;  nebec. 

proceeded,  at  the  head  ot  abouc  one  thouland  men, 

to  the  river  Kenebcc  •,  and  ere(5led  forts,  at  convc 

nient  diftances,  to  flop  the  progrcfs  of  the  French 

on  that  quarter  •,  to  lecurc  the  pcflefTion  of  that 

country  with  the  frienddiip  of  the  cailcrn  Indians. 

The  remainder  of  this  year  vyas  principally  fpenc 

in  repeated  reprefentations  to  the  miniftry,  refpecl- 

ing  the  dangerous  fituation  of  the  Engli'Ih  colonies ; 

and  the  abfolute  neceiTuy  of  a  powerful  aliillance 

from  Great  Britain,  to  defeat  the  am"bitious'"iLierio:ns 

of  the  courtof  tVahce.' '     '     •    •     .- ' 


C-:.l!n|r. 


■\:  i  ■', 


On 


*  Mr.  Pownel  had  tliis  pie'ce^publiftied  in  New-York  in  FebJ 
1756.  It  cohtaiiied  ao  intrt>du6\ion,  declaring,  that  copies  of 
it  w'ere  fent  by  the  miniftry  to  the  refpedive  governors  of  the 
colooies  :  and  in  the  O""'"?  fpUowing,  it  was  rcpubliftiedi 
yyith  great  oltentation,  in  the  Englifli  magazines.  Wich  relpe^ 
to  thofe  parts  of  it,  wher^in'he  talks  of  Irfdian  affairs,  the  fen- 
timcnts fccm  to  be  unintelligible  by  a  North- American  nndi^cn 
itanding. 


'•i^ 


rarr- 


11 


I'i'! 

: 'I  lilt 


i 


■: 


(     42     ) 


•  »  \- 


755 


vV. 


Dffi^ns  «n 
expedition 
againft 
Crown 


n 


omt. 


^N  th©  welcome  intelligence  of  the  fuccefs  of 
■^  thefc  reprefentations ;  and  while  forces  were  ex- 
pefting  from  England  -,  the  two  regiments  of  Shir- 
ley  and  Pepperel  were  ordered  to  be  re-eftablifhed, 
and  recruits  were  raifing  thro'  the  feveral  govern- 
ments, to  form  an  army  for  difpoflefTing  the  French 
from  their  late  encroachments. 

The  general  aflembly  of  the  Maflachufetts  Bay- 
being  convened,  and  the  members  fworn  to  fecre- 
cy  ;  Mr.  Shirley  communicated  to  them  a  defign 
of  attacking  Fort  St.  Frederic  at  Crown  Point,  the 
enfuing  fpringi  and  his  intention  to  appoint  Col. 
Johnfon  to  the  command  of  that  expedition.  The 
fcheme  being  approved  by  the  council  and  repre- 
fentatives  ot  that  province,  and  the  quotas. fettled, 
commifiioners  were  charged  to  the  neighbouring 
rovcrnmcnts,  to  follicit  their  concurrence  and  aid^ 
in  the  profecution  of  this  enterprize. 

While  thefe  matters  were  in  agitation,  Mr. 
Pownaln:as  atBoflon,  intending  to  fail  from  thence 
to  England.  He  now  thought  fit  to  change  his  re- 
folution  ;  and  Governor  Shirley  honoured  him  with 
the  embafly  to  New- York,  for  which  place  he  fet 
out  the  beginning  of  March.  Some  gentlemen  of 
the  council  and  aflembly  were  commiflioned,  on 
the  like  errand,  to  the  other  colonies  of  New  Jcr- 
feyj  Pennfylvania,  &c, 

Mr, 


'>:■ 


:»' 


ccefs  of 
vcre  ex- 
ofShir- 
bliflicd, 
govern- 
French 

jtts  Bay 
0  fecre- 
i  defign 
int,  the 
irit  Col. 
1.  The 
d  repre- 
. fettled, 
Douring 
and  aid^ 


r 


(43) 


n,   Mr. 
thence 

;  his  re- 
m  with 
he  fet 
men  of 
led,  on 
:w  Jcr- 

Mr, 


Mr.  Pownel's  profpedls  of  fucceis  at  New- York     1755, 
were  at  firft  not  very  encouraging.     De  Lancey,    ' ^ ' 

De  Lancty 

jealous   of  Shirley's   rifing   reputation,    appeared,  eiuk-avours 
with  regard  to  the  expedition  recommended,  ex-  ^°  cbi^rua 

°  *  the  concur- 

tremely  phlegmatic  :    and   though  artful  enough  rer.cecf  New 

to  abftain  from  an  open  oppofition,  he  made  ufe  oi     .'"'^         r 
Mr.  Chambers  as  his  tool  in  council,  to  obitru^ft 
the  concurrence  of   the  lesiHature.    At  this  time 
great  animofities  were  prevailing  in  the  province, 
occafioned  by  a  charter  juft  before  granted  by  Mr. 
De  Lancey,  conftituting  a  college  for  the  education 
of  youth,  upon  a  foundation  which  happened  to 
enkindle  the  general  difguft.     The  majority  of  the 
houfe,  apprehending  the  lofs  of  their  feats  on  a  tu- 
ture  eleftion,  fliould  they  afford  it  the  lead  aflill- 
ance,  found  themfelves  obliged  rather  to  counte- 
nance  the  popular  refentment.     A  gentleman  of 
diftindion,  with  whom  Mr.  Pownal  advifed  on  the 
fubjeft  of  his  comrnilTion,  thought  it  a  prudent  fbcp 
to  open  his  meffage  in  part,  to  thofe  members  of 
the   alTembly,  who,   on  the  above-mentioned  ac- 
count, were  then  in  the  oppofition.    Several  of  the 
leading  men  were  fecured  by  this  method  :  and  gut  jn  vain, 
when  the  houfe  met,  fuch  a  difpofition  appeared  to 
join  in  the  Icheme  propofed,  that  it  was  beyond 
Mr.  De  Lancey's  power  to  obilrudl  it.     Out  of 
pique  however  to  Mr.  Shirley,  to  whom  this  ex- 
pedition 


.ii'':i 


tjons. 


:U 


il:! 


(     44     ) 

I7f  r,     pedition  was  folely  committed,  he  prevailed  upon 

vs — ^ them  to  iufpend  the  execution  of  their  vote,  until 

General  Braddock's  approbation  was  obtained  :  and 

by  this  artifice  occafioned  a  confiderable  delay   in 

the  operations.  .    \ "  ■  •  ^ 

Binddock         General  Bi^addock,  being  now  arrived  in  Vir- 

ro-veivstaffg  -j^j^    fent  exprefTes   to  the  feveral  p;overnors  to 

end  (crti'.'s     mect  him,  in  order  to  a  confulation  on  the  bufinefs 
t.ifr  opera-     ^jf  jI^p  approaching  campaign.  —  This  convention 

was  dpened  on  ;the  14th  of  April*,  at  Alexandria 
•in  Virginia.  Here  it  appeared,  that  thro'  mifre- 
prcfentations  from  Virginia,  the  general  was  in- 
joined  to  proceed  immediately  to  Fort  Du  Qiielnc. 
Thofe  who  '  ve  well  acquainted  with  the  country, 
could  not  hcij.  obferving,  that  a  inarch  from  Po- 
towmac,  acrofs  the  Allegheny  mountains,  mud  b^ 
attended  with  incredible  difficulty,  hazard,  and  ex- 
pence —  that  the  vicinity  of  New-York  to  Cana- 
da —  its  Fort  of  Ofwego  on  Lake  Ontario  —  to- 
gether with  tiie  advantao;es  of  water  carriao-e-- 
rendered  that  province   by  far  the  fitteft  t^ieatre 

'■''■■"•         'of 


*  ll  war  at  firA  prnpcfed  -to  havr  been  held  nt  Annapolis 
jn  Marylsrd.  Mr.  Shirley,  who  thro*  the  nuiltiplicity  of  his 
^iWiTs  cJid  not  arrive  there  till  April,  has  been  charged  wi(h 
cielajirg  Fraddock's  march  near  three  weclcs  ;  tho'  it  is  notcri- 
:.us,  //#/ dclav  was  rccafioned  by  the  failure  cf  the  Virginia 
rortrra  for  the  neceffary  fupplies.  The  general  was  afterwards 
obliged  fo  enter  into  a  new  rne  with  gentlemen  in  Pennfyjva- 
j'i^  ;  ulich  wasror  crmplcated  till  the  27th  of  May,  near  fix 
t^-eeks  f/MD  the  tcndufi«n  of  the  <«ngref5. 


^.' 


ed  upon 
e,  until 
:d:  and 
klay  1n 


^  in  Vir- 
•nors  to 
bufinefs 
xvention 

exandria 
3'  mifre- 
was  in- 
Qiielnc 
country, 
"rem  Po- 
muft  \k 
and  ex- 
to  Cana- 
o  —  to- 
Tiage-  — 
:  t-lieatre 
of 

Annnpolls 
icity  of  his 
arged  with 
t  is  rotcrt- 
e  Virginia 
afterwards 
Pernfylva- 
y,  near  fix 


* — , 


(     45     7 

pf  aflion,  •  Braddock's  orders  were  nevcrthclcfe  pO"  1 75  5 
'fitive.  —  For  the  prcfervacion  therefore  of  Ofwego, 
and  the  reduction  of  Niagara,  it  was  at  length  a- 
greed,  that  Shirley's  and  Pcpperers  regiments 
fhould  proceed  to  Lake  Ontario,  —  whrle  General 
Braddock  attacked  Fort  Du  Qiiefne  —  and  the 
provincial  troops,  commanded  by  General  John- 
ion,  marched  to  invcll  Crown  Point.     ■,        .       • 

These  refolutions  being  taken,  Mr.  Shirley  be-  Shirley  re- 

turns  to  Bof 

gan  his  journey  to  Boflon,  to  prepare  for  the  expe-  j^^^  to  pre- 
dition  under  his  immediate  command  ;  to  forward  pare  for  the 

Northern 

,tliat  unc|er  Col.  Johnfon  •,  and  to  quicken  the  ds-  expcdit  ons 
parturc  of  the  New  England  troops,  now  afTem- 
bled  by  his  Majefty's  directions,  for  reducing  the 
J'rench  fettlements  in  Nova  Scoria.  On  his  way^ 
he  fpentfome  time  in  conference  with  Col.  Schuy. 
ler,  a  gentleman  of  fortune  and  courage,  who,  out 
of  difinterefted  love  to  his  country,  was  engaged 
.to  head  a  regiment  of  500  men,  raifed  and  main- 
tained by  the  province  of  New  Jerfey.  In  New 
York,  he  was  retarded  a  few  days  to  confult 
.with  General  Johnfon,  and  remove  f'.mc  ob- 
je(5tions   made    by  Mr.    De   Lancey  to    the  form 


,of  his    commifTion 


* 


V 


and  in   Connedicut,    to 

haften 


*  Mr.  Johnfon  hnd  his  comrnifTion  from  the  governors  of  the 
provinces,  which  furnifhed  the  troops  under  his  command  ; 
the  draft  of  which  was  fettled  at  Alexandria.    The  Lieut.  Go- 

vcrnor 


jr- 


{  46  } 

•17  C  tf.    J^^i^cn  the  aflembling  the  troops  of  that  colony  * 
\« — ^ — »       The  ncceflary  difpatchcs  being  given   to  the  ex- 
pedition to  Nova  Scotia  under  Co!.  Winflow,  Mr. 
Shirley,,  upon  the  arrival  of  the  paymaftcr  for  the 
and  fails  for  noithcrn  <}iflrid,    returned  to  Kew  York  ;  and  on 
Albany.        ^^^  ^^\^  of  july  lailc'd  for  Albany,  his  own  regiment 

having   pafled    by  for   that   place,  in  twenty-one 
tranfports,  a  few  days  before*  .  :.    .  • '  " 

About 


I .  .yt 


lA'i 


illi 


r'l 


'' '  i 


*         ■  ... 

vel-nor  of  New  York  now  thought  proper  to  repeat  thofe  very 
objeftions,  which  haid  been  there  overruled.  This  unaccount- 
able conc'uft  gave  Mr.  Johnfon  great  uneafinels,  who  could 
not  obtain  Mr.  Dtlar.cey's  commiflion,  till  proper  notice  was 
taken  by  General  Sttirley  of  fo  manifell  an  obArudlion  to  the 
operations  of  the  campaign. 

•  Connedicut  had  voted  one  thoufand  men  for  the  Crown 
Point  expedition,  and  given  afl'urancts  of  500  more,  if  the  fervice 
fo  required.  New  York  was  to  fupply  800  ;  but  thro'  the  de- 
lay occafioned  by  the  fiifpendingclaufe  above-mentioned  in  the 
vote  of  our  aflcmbly,  Mr.  De  Lancey's  brother  was  feat  into 
Connedicut,  to  obtain  leave  for  recruiting  the  quota  we  were 
to  furlnifh,  in  that  colony  ;  as  men  might  there  be  raiftd  more 
fpeedily  than  in  the  province  of  New-York.  Mr.  Shirley  be- 
ing at  Hertford,  during  this  application,  was  told  by  govetnor 
Fitch,  that  if  Connedicut  complied,  they  (hould  confider  them- 
felves  diftngaged  from  the  afturances  given  of  500  more  than 
their  own  quota,  did  the  fervice  demand  it.  This,  with  Mr. 
Oliver  De  Lancey's  declaration  ---that  ifhimfelf  fliould  ac- 
cept the  command  of  the  New  York  regiment,  he  could  in 
ten  days  raife  the  whole  number  in  this  province,  induced  Mr. 
Shirley  to  oppofc  the  application  ;  it  appearing  to  him  not 
improbable^  that  the  fervice  might  afterwards  require  the  rein- 
forcement offered.  In  confequence  of  which,  only  300  recruits 
were  furnifhed  New  York  from  thence.  ---  A  lucky  incident 
for  Mr.  Shirley's  adverfaries  to  incenfe  the  people  of  New 
York  againft  him  ;  to  which  purpole  it  was  induHrioufiy  ap- 
plied ;  tho'  his  conduft  in  that  affair  was  prudent  and  rational; 
and  tho'  by  repeated  Icttets  to  Lieut.  Governor  De  Larcey, 
lie  took  pains  rx  remove  any  mifunderftanding  at  a  jun(P:ur^  fg 
unfeafonable. 


olony  * 
the  ex- 

w,  Mr. 
for  the 
and  on 

•gimcnt 

nty-onc 

About 


ofe  verjr 
account- 
lo  could 
Aice  was 
)n  to  the 

;  Crown 
le  fervice 
i'  the  de- 
ed in  the 
fent  into 
we  were 
"ed  more 
irley  be- 
[ovetnor 
:r  then- 
ore  than 
ith   Mr. 
uild  ac- 
ou]d  in 
:ed  Mr. 
him  not 
he  rein- 
recruits 
incident 
of  New 
fly   ap- 
ational; 
ancey, 


(      47     ) 

About  this  time,  the  colonics  were  filled  with    17  5  C* 

univerfaijoy,  on  the  agreeable  news  that  the  New  *       "" — "^ 

Nova  Scotia 
England  troops  were  become  mailers  of  Beau-fcjour  reduced. 

and  Bay  Verte,  on  the  iftlimus  of  '.>Jova  Scotia  ; 

whereby  a  new  province  was  added  to  the  Britifh 

empire  in  America  :  and  that  a  ftrong  fleet, ,  under 

Admiral   Bofcawen,    lay    before    I,ouifburghy  t3 

intercept  the  French  fupplicsi  and  which  had  alfa 

fcized  two  of  their  capital  fliips,  the  Lys  and  Alcide» 

a"  !  fent  them  into  Halif4X*   .   . 


>ii4  ...  '•/i'j.'j 


General  Br  addock  w»s  now  on  his  march  to-  Braddock 
wards  the  Ohio,  at  the  head  of  about  22po  men,  from  Fort 
in  order  to  inVeft  FortE  Du  Quefne,  and  drive  tl)C  Cumber- 
French  from  their  incroachments  on  the  frontiers 
of  Virginia  and  PennfylvaAia.  From  Fort  Cun^ljcf-. 
land  to  Fort  Du  Quefne,  the  diHance  is  not  Icfs  than 
130  miles.  Mr  Braddock  began  his  march  from 
the  former  on  the  loth  of  June  v  leaving  th^  gar* 
rifon  under  the  command  of  Col.  Inncs*  Iijnumer 
rable  were  the  difHculties  he  had  to  furm,oijit\t, 
in  a  country  rugged,  pathlefs,  and  unknown,  j^ 
crofs  the  Allegheny  mountains,  thro'  unfrequented 
■woods,  and  dangerous  defiles.  From  the  little 
n^e^4ows  the  army  proceeded  in  two  divifions.  At 
the  head  of  the  firfl:,  confiding  of  1400  men,  wa5  the 
general  himfelf,  with  the  greateft  part  of  the  amunir 
tion  and  artillery.     Th*«  fceond,  with  the  ppovifi^ 

ons. 


P\ 


ii^ 


•-  J. 


■  «i^M»«a 


,l.„ 


(     48      I 

1(7^;^ §^    6nfl/  ftoVes,  and  heavy  baggage,  was  led,  by  Cot 
'.  Du-hbar.  Never  w  is  man  more  confident  of  fuccefs, 
I  than  this  brave,    tho'  unfortunate  officer.     Bein^ 
advifc  1  ac  the  great  meadows,  that  that  the  enemy 
expeifted  a  reinforcement  of. 500  regular  troops,  he 
pufhcd.On  by  forced  marches,  with  fo  much  dif- 
patch,  that  he  fatigued  the  foldiers,  weakened  his 
horfes,  and  left   his  fecond  dlvifion   near  40  miles 
in  the  rear,  the  enemy   being  not  more  than  200 
ftrong  at  their  fort  on  the  Ohio,  gave  nbebftnidli. 
on'  to  the-  march  of  our  forces,  till  the  memorable 
J'-T  r  •     9'th  of  July -^- a  day  never  to  be  forgoitcn  ip  the 
*^'" ,  '    an'nals'ofNonrh  America^     About  AQon  our  troops 
pafled  the  Monagahela,  and  were  then   within  fe- 
ven  hiiles  of  Fort  Du  Quefne.  —  Unapprehenfivo 
of  th«'  approach  of  ah  coeniy,>  at  once. was  ^he  a» 
Urm  given,  by  a  quick  and  heavy  fire  upon  the  van- 
guard, under  Lieut.  Col.  Gage.  ,  Immediately  the 
main  body,  in  good  order  and  high  fpirits,  advan- 
ced to  fuftain  theny.     Orders  were  then  given  to 
Italt,  and  form  into  battalia.     At  this  jundurc  the 
van  falling  back  upon  them,  in  grijat  confufion,  a 
general  panic  leizcd  the  whole  body  of  the  foldiery; 
and  all  attempts  to  rally  them  proved  utterly  inef- 
feftual.     The  general  and  all  the  officers  exd'r*^,d 
their. iitmoftaflivity,  to  rccpver  them  from  theuni- 
verfal  furprize  and  diforder :  butec^ually  deaf  were 
^     ,-...)  they 


ii:  <i 


)y  Col, 
uccefs. 
Being 
enemy 
)ps,  he 
:h  dif- 
led  his 
D  miles 
an  200 
iftrxidlu 
aorabic 
;  in  the 
•  troops 
thin  fe- 
ihenfive 
.s  t,he  a» 
thevan- 

tely  th€ 
ad van- 
ivcn  to 
turc  the 
afion,  a 
bldiery; 
•ly  inef- 

the  uni- 
:af  were 
they 


(   49   ) 

they  to  intrcaties  and  commands.  During  this 
fcene  of  confiifion,  they  expended  their  ammuniti- 
on in  the  wildcft  and  mod  unmeaning  fire.  Some 
difcharging  their  pieces  on  our  own  parties,  who 
Avcrc  advanced  from  the  main  body  for  the  recovery 
of  the  cannon.  After  three  hours  fpent  in  this  me- 
lancholy fituation,  enduring  a  terrible  (laughter, 
from  (it  may  be  faid)  an  inviftbk  foe,  orders  were 
given  to  found  a  retreat,  that  the  men  might  be 
brought  to  cover  the  waggons.  Thefc  they  fur- 
rounded  but  a  lliort  fpace  of  time  :  for  the  enemy's 
fire  being  again  warmly  renewed  from  the  front  and 
left  flank,  the  wliole  army  took  to  immediate  flight  j 
leaving  behind  them  all  the  artillery,  provifions 
ammunition,  baggage,  military  chefl:,  together 
with  the  general's  cabinet,  containing  his  inllruc- 
tions  and  other  papers  of  confcquence.  So  frrcat 
was  the  confl:ernation  of  t\\Q  foldiers,  that  it  was 
impoffible  to  flop  their  career,  flying  with  the  ut- 
moft  precipitation  three  miles  from  the  field  of 
aflion  ;  where  only  one  hundred  began  to  make 
a  more  orderly  retreat.  .    . 

What  was  the  Itrcngth  of  the  enemy,  has  hither- 
to remained  to  us  uncertaiii.  According  to  Indian 
accounts,  they  exceeded  not  400,  chiefly  Indians  : 
and  whether  any  were  flain,  is  flill  to  be  doubted, 
for  few  >vere  r.:cn  by  our  men,  being  covered  by 

^^  Humps 


1755 


ij' 


.M 


•i    ti 


•<■' 


M 


iV.-JS 


To  what 
caufea  tl  e 
defeat  was 
afcribcd. 


(    5^    ) 

nnmps  and  fiillen  trees.  Great  indeed  ..^»  tbe  dc- 
flrinflion  on  our  fi  le.  -—  Numb.T:,  of  oIHccrs  facri- 
ficed  iluir  lives  thro'  fingular  bravery.  Extreme- 
ly unfortunate  was  the  whole  fiafF.  The  general, 
aftLT  having  five  horfe.s  fliot  under  him,  received  a 
wound  in  his  lungs  thro'  his  right  arm,  of  which 
hr  died  in  four  days.  His  fecietary,  elded  fon  of 
Major  General  Shirley,  a  gentleman  of  gr^'at  ac- 
complifhmcnts,  by  a  fliot  thro'  the  head,  was  killed 
upon  the  fpot.  Mr.  Orme  and  Capr.  Morris,  aid- 
de-camps,  were  all  wounded.  Of  the  44th  re- 
giment. Sir  Peter  Halket,  Colonel,  was  flain,  with 
feverrd  other  officers;  and  Lieut.  Col.  Gage  wound- 
ed. Lieut.  Col.  Burton,  of  the  48th  regiment,  was 
among  the  wounded  •,  and  ur»y  gallant  officers 
pcriflied  in  the  field.  Ou.  ..uole  lofs  was  about 
feven  hundred  killed  and  wounded. 

To  what  caufes  this  unhappy  cataflrophe  is  to  be 
afcribed,  has  been  matter  of  much  inquiry  *and 
animated  debate.  The  officers  charged  the  defeat 
to  the  cowardice  of  the  men  :  but,  In  a  reprefenta- 
tion  they  made  to  Mr.  Shirley,  by  order  of  the 
Crown, they  in  fome  meafure  apologize  for  their  be- 
haviour —  allcdging,  that  they  were  harrafTed  by 
duties  unequal  to  their  numbers,  and  difpirited 
thro'  wantof  provifions:  That  time  was  not  allow- 
'  ed  them  to  drtfs  their  food  :  That  their  water  (the 

©nly 


** 


T 


tlie  de, 
s  facri- 
ctrcmc- 

encral, 
:cived  a 

f  which 
t  Ton  of 
;ri:ac  ac- 
is  killed 
•is,  aid- 
[4th  rc- 
n,  with 
wound- 
in  t,  was 

officers 
IS  about 

c  is  to  be 
liry  'and 
le  defeat 
jrefenta- 
r  of  the 
their  be- 
jfTed  by 
iifpirited 
Dt  allow- 
ater  (the 
Qnly 


I   5»    J 

* 

only  liquor  too  th(;y  had)  was  both  fcarce  and  of  a    f  cr  c: 


m^A 


bad  quality  :  in  fine,  that  t!ie  provinciali    haU  dif-  ^  — 
heartened  them,    by  repeated  fuggeftions  ut  their 
fcar>  of  a  defeat,  fl.ould  they  be  attacked  by  Indi. 
ans  i  in  whicii  cafe  the  European  ipcthodof  Hghting 
would  be  intirely  unavailing.  But,  niy  Lord,  how- 
ever cenfurablc  the  conduct  pf  the  foldiery  m:iy  be 
thought,  ^Ir.  Braddock,  too  fanguine  in  Im  proi- 
pedls,   was  generally  blamed  for  ncgleifling  to  cul- 
tivate the  friend jliip  of  the   Indians,  who  oH'ered 
their  airi'tancci  and  who,  it  is  certain,  had  a  num- 
ber of  them  preceded  the  army,  would  have  fcfl- 
fonably  dilcovered   the  enemy's  ambiifgade.     The 
Virginian  rangers  alfo,  inllead  of '  being  made  to 
ferve  as    regulars  in  the   ranks,  with  the   Englilh  . 
troops,  (hould  have  been  employed  as  out-fcouts. 
But  this  ftep,  fo  necefTary  to  guard  againftfurprife, 
was  too  unhappily  omitted  •,,  the  whole  army,  ac- 
cording   to   the  reprefentation   above   mentioned, 
following  only //^r^^  or /<7«r^///\:/^j. 

When  the  routed  party  joined   the  fecond  divi-  Dunbar 

fion,  forty  miles  fliort  of  the  place  of  aflion,  the  ^'■'^^'^  P*"'**^* 

piiatcly   to 

terror  dffufed  itfelf  thro'  the  whole  army.     Your  fort  Cum- 
Lordfhip  might  naturally  expect  ro  hear,  that  Col.  l^^l""'*- 
Dunbar  then  intrenched  himfelf,  and  called  on  the 
neighbouring    colonies   for  immediate    reinforce- 
ments ',  —  as  by  fuch  a  ftep  the  enemy  might  have  ^o 

been  . 


•*  r       i< 


I..' 


re- 


''('\ 


\^C 


<■*• 


!: 


/ 

V 


52     ) 


1755 


••■•"i^» 


-^1-  ■ 


•  ■.ill 

■'     Til. 


•  V 


r\  i 


3::| 


Major  Gen. 
Shirley  af- 
farnes  the 
command. 


betn  detrlncd  at  Fort  Du  Qn^fhe,  prevented  from 
ravaging  the  frontiers,  or  throwing  fuccoun  Inro 
Niagara.  But  alas  !  my  Lord,an  infatii'tion Teem- 
ed to  accompany  all  our  meafures  on  the  fouthcrn 
quarter.  Fearful  of  an  unpurfuing  foe,  all  the  am- 
munition, and  fo  much  of  the  provifions  were  de- 
flroyed,  for  accelerating  their  flight,  that  D'jnbar 
was  aduiilly  obliged  to  ftnd  for  thirty  horfe-loads' 
of  the  latter,  before  he  reached  Fort  Cumberland— 
where  he  arrived  a  very  few  days  after,  with  the 
(hattered  remains  of  the  Englifh  troops.         :;  •;     :  • 

On  Mr.  Braddock's  unhappy  cataftrophe^  the' 
command  of  his  Majefty's  forces  in  North  America; 
devolved  upon  Major  General  Shirley.  I  before 
acquainted  your  Lordlhip  of  his  return  to  New 
York,  and  departu»*e  from  thence  to  Albany,  where 
he  arrived  the  beginning  of  July.  "    "  - 

Albany,  my  Lord,  was  the  grand  theatre  of  all' 
the  preparations  for  the  northern  expedition  againft 
Fort  St.  Frct^erlc,  as  well  as  that  to  the  weftwardfor 
the  reduction  of  Niagara.  The  general,  on  his  ar- 
rival there,  found  not  the  former  in  the  forward- 
nefs  he  had  reafon  to  exped.  The  provincials  dif- 
contented  with  the  inactivity  of  a  long  encamp- 
rr.ent.  Major  General  Lyman  was  obliged  to  make 
fhort  marches  to  prevent  their  difbandlng  j  and  the 
l8  detained    general  was  therefore  detained  a  while  in  that  city, 

at  Albany. 

.  to 


■m    5'i: 


*d  from 
Lin  into 
n  fecm- 
buthern 
the  am- 
vtrc  de- 
D'jnbair 
fe-loads- 
"land  — 
vith  thp 

ihe^  the' 
\niericaf 
I  before 
to  New 
fy  where 

re  of  all ' 
againft^ 
ard  for 
his  ar- 
orward- 
als  dif- 
ncainp- 
o  make 
and  the 
at  city, 
.    to 


tr>^hfrld^r  fo  fatal  an  e^^eht;     His  oWtrOo^S'  in'  the   j  y>  r ,' 
niefiifi  time  were  filing  off,  in  different  divifibnsj  *^— v^-~/ 
ffOm  Sch^neclady  tov/ard*  OWgp.  "r'fo't  .<  "•,'': 

OswFGO,  along  the  accn  domed   route,  is  com^nomg  to 

pnted  to  be  about  300  miles  welt  from  A'bany.  Ofwego. 

Th6  firlt  iTxteieni  to  thevillage  of  Schenesflady,  i$- 

land  carriage,    in   a  good'  waggon   road*     Krom- 

I  thence  <t;0  the  "Little  Falisi  in  the  Mohawk  lliver, 

affixty-fix^d  miles  diHancej  the  battoes  *  are  fet  a-' 

gainft  a -ra^id  ftream ;  which  too,  in  dry  feiafoAs,  is 

lb  fliailow,  that  the  men  are  frequently  obliged- to 

tarn  our,  and  draw  their  craft  over  the  rifts  \Vith' 

incoTTceiviable-  labbur.'     At  the'  Litt'e  Falls,  the 

portage  exceeds  not  a  mile-:    the  groun-d   being 

marfl:iywiil  admit  of  no^  wheel  carfiagt,  and  there, 

tore  the  Germans  who  refidc  heri^,  faafporrth« 

battoes  in  fleds,  which  they  keep  for  that  purpofc. 

The  fame  conveyance  is  ufed  at  theiGreat  Carry ino-- 

Place,  fixty  miles  beyond  the  Little  Falls  ;  all  the- 

way  to  which  the  current  is  flill  adverfc,  and  cx^ 

tremoly  fw5ft.  The  portage  here  is  longer  or  lliort- 

er,  according  to  the  drynefs  or  wetnefs  of  the  fea- 

fons.     In  the  laft  fummer  months,  when  rains  arc 

not  frequent,  it  is  ufially  fix  or  eight  miles  acrofi. 

Taking  water  again,  we  enter  a  narrow  rivulet,. 

called 

'^  A  battoe  is  a  li^ht  flat-bottomed  boat,  wldcd  in  the  mjd- 
<^le,  and  at  each  end  iharp  pointed,  of  about  1500  weight  bur- 
jCcn,  and  managed  by  t»,o  men,  with  paddles aad  fetting-poks. 


•ii 


B  'h 


".w. " 


t  ■  , 


,■  I 


I'l 


If:. :! 

HI:  •  ■  ; 

a: 


C    54    ) 

1755.  called  tjie  Wood-creek,  vvhich  leads  into  the  Oflc- 
s-..-y-..:r^  Ida  Lake,  diftant  fort;y  mijes.  Thisilream,  tfv^^ 
favourable,  being  fhallowa  and  its  banks  covered 
■with  thick  woods,  was  at  this  time  much  obftrucJt- 
ed  with  old  logs  and  fallen  trees.  The  Oneida  Lake 
ftretches  from  eaft  to  weft  about  thirty  miles,  and 
in  calm  weather  is  pafled  with  great  tacility.  i\tits 
wcftern  extremity  opens  the  Onondaga  River,  lead- 
ing down  to  Ofwego,  fituated  at  its  enterance  on 
the  fouth  fide  of  the  Lake  Ontario.  Extrcnr^ely 
difficult  and  hazardous  is  the  parage  ihro'  this  riv- 
er, as  it  abounds  with  rifts  and  rocks ;  aiul  the  cur- 
rent flowing  with  furprifing  rapidity.  1  he  principal 
obftruiftion  is  twelve  miles  fliort  of  Ofwego,  and 
is  a  fall  .of  about  eleven  feet  perpendicular.  The 
portage  here  is  by  land,  not  exceeding  forty  yards, 
before  they  launch  for  the  laft  time.  ;.  ^ 

Your  Lordship,  from  this  account,  will  readi- 
ly conceive,  that  thro'  fuch  a  long  amphibious 
inarch  an  army  mufV  proceed  with  prodigious  rifque 
and  fatigue ;  and  the  battoes  be  neceflarily  con- 
duced by  perfons  fkilled  in  the  navagation,  and  en- 
ured to  hardfhips.  For  this  fervice  General  Shirley 
hadengagad  all  the  young  men  m  the  county  of  Al- 
bany, who  formerly  had  been  employed  in  the  Indi- 
an trade  at  Ofwego:  and  a  vaft  number  of  battoes 
were  prepared  for  the  conveyance  of  the  troops, 
ilores,  and  provifions. 


! 

i 


the  Oftc- 

covered 
3bftrua- 
ida  Lake 
[les,  and 
y,  Atits 
er,  lead- 
ance  on 
jctrcm,^ly 
this  riv- 
the  cur-, 
principal 
;go,  and 
ir.  The 
ty  yards^ 

ill  readi- 
phibious 

us  rifque 
ily  con- 
,  and  en- 
1  Shirley 
ty  of  Al- 
:he  Indi- 
battoes 
;  troops, 
Oswego 


>(     5i     ) 

OswEOO  Was  formerly  garrifoned  by  twenty-five 
ircn  •,  b'^^t  on  the  commencement  of  our  prefent 
difputeis,  the  number  was  augmented  to  fifty.  Early 
this'fpring  fifty  more  were  ordered  up  :  and  about 
the  lai^ter-  end  of  May,  Capt.  Bradftreet  arrived 
there  with  200,  befides  workmen  to  be  employed  in 
the  naval  preparations,  purfuant  to  the  fcheme  con- 
certed'in  the  congrefs  of  commiffioners  at  Albany 
the  laft  fummpr.  '         •  J^'  ' 

Col.  Schuyler's  New  Jerfey  reffiment embarked 
in  two  divifions  from  Scheneclady,  the  beginning 
of  July.  Shirley's  and  Peppcrrell's  were  preparing 
to  follow,  when  the  melancholy  news  of  Gen.  Brad- 
dock's  defeat  reached  that  place.  This  (truck  a  ge- 
neral damp  on  the  fpirits  of  the  foldiers,  and  many 
deferted.  Great  numbers  of  the  battoe-men  dif- 
perfed  themfelves  into  the  country,  and  fled  to 
their  refpeflive  habitations.  To  engage  the  return 
of  above  half  r  fugitives,  equally  ineffedual 
were  threats  or  promife^  rewards  or  panifhments. 
The  general,  however,  lenfible  of  the  importance 
of  the  fervice,  purfued  his  march  in  f^  ite  of  every 
vexatious  difappointment.  A-  he  pafled  their 
cou,.Ttry,  he  called  upon  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions at  fome  of  their  caftlcs  ;  ant'  .atambafladors 
to  the  reft,  prefling  them  to  join  him,  with  alTur- 
ances  oi  hi 5  protedion.  But  they  feemed  in  ge- 
nera) 


1755' 


Troops  pro- 
ceed to  that 
garrifon. 


Six  Nations 
averfe  to  the 
Niagara  ex- 
pedition,and 
why. 


Cil 


,     :     » 


k 


1 1' 


1!;1  ; 


ll": 


Hi 


•*7S:5 


".tn^* 


johnfon 
holds  a  con- 
ference with 
them. 


neral  gveatly  dUinclind  to  our  vvcftern  oper;^tiQns. 
l^diuQ  gflf^irs  had  been  too  long  negle^fi  .by  the 
province  of  New  York,  to  which  the  principal  ma- 

tuagemcnt  of  them  has  always  been  committed. 
Neither  the  fiims  allotted  for  prefents,  to  thpfe  fa- 
vages,  were  always  by  our  governors  fairly  expend- 
ed; nor  the  prefents  themfelves  honeftly  drftributed. 
And  partly  thro' repeated  frauds,  and  the  omifiion 
of  proper  meafures  to  conciliate  their  favour,  our 
intercit  with  them  amounted  to  little  more  than  a 
bare  neutrality.  Mr-  Johnfon  ncverthelefs  pre- 
tending a  mighty  influence  over  them,  was  intruft- 
ed  with  5000I.  fierling,  in  order  to  engage  their 
affillancc  for  the  general  benefit  of  his  Majefty's 
fervice.  For  this  purpofe  he  held  a  congrefs  with 
fome  of  their  principal  fachems  at  Mount- johnfon*, 
foon  after  his  return  from  Alexandria* 

Your  Lordship  is pleafed  to  infift  upon  tny"  de- 
'  fcending  into  a  detail  of  every  tranfaction,  how  j 
*'  minute  foever,  that  can  give  any  light  into  the 

-   *'  more  fecret  fprings  of  our  political  a<5lion."    ,1 

Anecdote  of  r       d  r 

Johnfon  and    fl)all  therefore  acquaint  your  LordOiip,  that  upon 
the  general's  arrival  a:  Albany,  Mr.  Johnfon  laid 
before  him  a  copy  of  the  minutes  ot  his  late  treaty 
with  the  Indians.     Thefc  minutes,  it  feems,  con- 
tained 

*  Sir  William  johnfon's  own  feat,  near  the  lower  Mohawl- 
waflle,  aboct  3    miles  from  Albany, 


Shirley. 


'.'I 


4  by  the 
Ipal  ma- 
nmltted- 
thpfe  fa- 
expend - 
Iributed. 
omifTion 
our,  our 
•re  than  a 
:lefs   pre- 
,s  intruft- 

jge  their 
Majefty's 
refs  with 
ohntbn*, 

tny  "  de- 
ion,  how 
t  into  the 
Vion."  I 
;hat  upon  | 
nfon  laid 
ate  treaty 
ms,  con- 
tained 

er  Mohawk 


-•-- V" 


(     57     ) 

tained  fome  unhandfom  reflexions  upon  his  excel-    1755 
bncyi  infinuating,    that   to  treat  feparatcly   with 
them,  he  had  employed  one  Lydius,  a  perfon  of 
not  the  moft  unexceptionable  charafler,  either  for 
loyalty  or  integrity.    The  fmgle  rcafon  upon  which 
the  furuiifc  could  be  founded  was   this.     I.ydius, 
who  formerly  lived  near  Lake  George,  and  whofc 
Indian  acquaintance  was  very  extenfive,  had  offer- 
ed the  general  his  affiftance,  in  procuring  the  junc- 
tion of  a  number  of  them,  on  the  defigned  expedi- 
tions.  Upon  which  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Johnfon,  inti- 
mating the  pleaflire  it  would  give  him,  if  he  could 
make  any  ufe  of  this  man  in  his  Majefty's  fervice. 
On  delivering  thofe  minutes  into  the  general's  h.:ndj;, 
Johnfon,  fenfible  of  the  infmuation,  told  him,  he 
intirely  difapproved  the  refle(5lion  they  feemed  to 
contain,    and   appeared   aihamed  of  its  infertioh. 
Having  perufed  the  paper,  Shirley  could  not  avoid 
complaining  of  the  ill  ufage,  while  the  other  with 
folcmn  vows  protefted,  he  was  not  privy  to  it,  and 
importuned  him  ^o  return  the  minutes,  that  he 
might  erafe  the  obnoxious  paffage.  The  former  con- 
fided in    the    fmcerity   of  his  protefhations,    but 
foon     after   had   abundant    reafon   to   diftruflhis 
integrity*  ,  .  - 

TriE  general  had  applied  to  one  Staac?,  who  rc- 
fided  near  Albany,  and  had  a  confiJerable  interell 

R  wiih 


II 


4' 


it' 


1 


i' 


l:ii 


I^Mi 


1755 


.  (         58         ) 

wich  the  Indians  of  Stockbridge*.  He  propofcd  to 
him  his  raifing  a  company  of  them,  as  a  guard  to 
the  battoes  in  their  paflage  to  Ofwego.  Privately 
was  this  man  intimidated  irom  the  undertaking : 
and  Mr.  Johnfon,  to  induce  him  to  break  thro'  his 
promifes,  offered  him  a  captain's  commiffion,  could 
he  engage  an  Indian  company  to  proceed  on  the  ex- 
pedition under  his  own  direction. 

Your  Lordship,  being  already  informed  of  this 
gentleman's  appointment  to  the  command  of  the 
provincial  army,  by  the  interefl  of  General  Shirley, 
will  fcarc-f  have  patience  at  the  recital  of  a  condufl 
fo  aftonifhing  and  ungrateful.  The  fecret,  my 
Lord,  was  this.  —  Mr.  Johnfon  was  never  diftin- 
guiQied  for  his  fenfe  or  penetration.  He  had  now  for 
general,  and  his  aid-dc-camp  Capt.  Wraxal,  a  man  of  art  and  gc« 
nius,  who  a  few  years  before  had  been  appointed  fe«- 
cretary  for  Indian  affairs,  and  clerk  of  the  city  and 
county  of  Albany.  Governor  Clinton  had  granted  a 
commifTion  for  the  latter  of  thofe  offices,  before 
the  date  of  Wraxal's  fign  manual-  A  fuit  was  there- 
fore commenced,  and  is  flill  depending  between 
him,  and  the  perfon  in  pofTefTion  of  the  office,  fu- 
fpended  on  the  determination  of  a  point  of  law.  Up- 
on this  account  Wraxal  became  a  humble  depend- 
ant 

*  Stockbridge,  by  the  Indians  calle4  Houfatoniic,  lies  upon 
the  weUern  confines  of  the  Mailachufetts  Bay,  in  the  eailern 
parts  of  the  province  of  New  York. 


r 


Faaion 
formed 
aeainli  the 


It. 


ofed  to 
lard  to 
rivatfly 
takinor , 

thro'  his 
I,  could 
the  ex- 

J  of  this 
\  of  the 

Shirley, 
conduft 
ret,  my 
r  diftin- 

now  for 

t  and  gc- 

>inted  fc«- 

city  and 

ranted  a 

before 
as  there- 
between 
fice,  fu- 
iw.  Up- 
depend- 

ant 

h'es  upon 
lie  ealUrn 


I    59  T 

ant  on  Lieut.  Governor  De  Lancey,  before  whom,     I  7  C  c. 

unlcfs  fupcrfcded    in  the  chief  command,  the  cafe  ' v * 

muft  be  determined  upon  a  writ  of  error  :  the  lat- 
ter, who  hud  been  a  declared  enemy  to  Johnfon, 
throughout  the  whole  of  Clinton*s  adminiftration, 
and  had  even  prevented  the  alicmbly  froni  difcharg- 
ing  a  very  equitable  demand  he  had  againlt  the  pro- 
vince for  ferviccs  and  diil)urrements,now  determin- 
ed to  fall  in  with,  and  fct  him  up,  in  competition 
with  Shirley.   VVraxal's  p<>fl:  and  dependence  afford- 
ed a  fine  opportunity  for  the  purpofe  :  and  fo  John- 
fon  became  ftrongly  attached  to  the  Lieut.  Cover-  E/II  ctafts 
nor.  Your  Lordfxiip  will  no  longer  wonder  at  his  ^^^^' 
procuring  all  the  Indians  he  could  prevail  upon,  to 
join  the  provincial  troops  under  his  own  command; 
or  at  his  attempts  to  excite  others  to  embarrafs  and 
obitrufl  the  general's    dcfigns  upon  the  Lake  On- 
tario,    In  fupport  of  a  charge  lb  heavy  as  this,  I 
think  it  incumbent  upon  me  to  afTign  the  following 
inilances :    i.  Not  an  Indian  joined  General  Shirley 
at  Schcnecbady,  agreeably  to  Mr  Juhnfon's  pofitive 
alTurances.     z.  Nor  at  either  of  the  caftles  in  the 
five  cantons,  as    he  paffed  thro' them  to  Ofwego : 
but,  on  the  contrary  ;   3,  One  Bant,  an  Onondagrr 
(three  of  whole  fons  were  in  Johnfon's  army)  at  the 
head  of  feveral   other    Indians,  declared   to   Mr. 
Shirley  at  Olwego,  thit  it  ^Y.l>  a  place  of  trade  and 

peace 


h 


.sJN 


'fr 


ii 


■ft- 


:i 


'"(M 


Hi 
.I'l 


(    60    ) 

^755*    P^^^*^  —  ^^^^  ^^^^^^  fliould  be  no  war  there  —  and 

' * '  that  he   fhould   not  dillnrb  the  French  •,  adding, 

that  he  was  going  with  the  like  mefilige  to  Canada. 
The  general  having  convinced  iiim,  that  the  ex- 
pulfion  of  the  French  from  their  encroachments 
muft  redound  to  the  advantage  of  the  Six  Nations  j 
he  aflcrted,  that  Mr.  Johnfon  had  fent  them  upon 
this  embalTy  to  Canada.  Tho*  this  appeared  ut- 
terly incredible,  'tis  neverthelcfs  certain,  4,  feve- 
ral  other  Indians  arrived  from  the  Onondaga  caille, 
with  a  belt,  declaring  it  to  have  been  fent  them  by 
Mr.  Johnfon,  with  his  requeft,  that  not  a  man  of 
them  would  join  the  King's  troops,  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Shirley.  5.  Others  alio,  from 
the  Seneca,  Oneida,  2nd  Cayuga  cantons  concur- 
red in  the  like  reports  -,  particularly  one  Redhead, 
an  Indian  of  grea":  fame,  and  a  fpcaker  at  the  late 
congrefs  at  Mount- Johnfon,  came  to  Ofwego,  in 
his  way  to  Ofwagatic  or  la  Gallctte,  and  defired 
the  ceflation  ot  all  military  defigns  ;  affirming,  that 
with  the  fame  requcft  he  was  going  to  the  French. 
It  was  with  difficulty,  my  Lord,  thele  Indians 
were  reconciled  to  our  attempts,  detained  at  Ofwe- 
go, and  thereby  prevented  from  communicating 
our  operations  to  the  enemy.  The  general,  from 
thefc  inftance,  became  more  and  more  fufpicious, 
that  the  fashion  at  New  York  were  cndeavouri,  g  to 

embarrafs 


u 


I: 


(     6i     ) 


—  and 

iddiiJg, 
Canada, 
the  ex- 

iments 
i  at  ions  i 

Ti  upon 
•ed   ut- 
1.,  fevc- 
a  caHile, 
henn  by 
man  of 
"le  com- 
6,  from 
concur- 
edhead, 
the  late 
ego,  in 
de  fired 
>,CT,  that 
French. 
Indians 
t  Ofwe- 
licating 
d,  froiu 
picions, 
iri,  <5  to 
barrafs 


17^^' 


cmbarrafs  and  impede  his  mcafurcs.  What  farther 
confirmed  his  fufpicions,  that  the  Lieut.  Governor 
of  New  York,  with  that  view,  made  Mr.  Johnfon 
his  inftrumcnt,  was  a  letter,  which  after  his  arri- 
val at  Ofwego  he  received  fron>  the  latter,  wherein 
he  juftified  that  very  afperfion  before  difavowed, 
contained  in  the  minutes  above  recounted.  ' 

My  Lord,  we  will  now  leave  Mr.  Shirley  at 
Ofwego  ;  and  purfue  the  courfe  of  tranfa6lions,  as 
well  at  New  York,  as  in  the  fouthern  colonics.  Dunbar 

T-v  1       •  1      1     r-<  /-^        i      1       J     marches  to 

Dunbar,    having   reached   rort   Cumberland,  pjjjigjj.!, 

difpatched  an  Indian  exprefs  to  General  Shirley,  phia. 
with  an  account  of  the  defeat,  and  the  ncceflary 
returns  rcfpecling  the  troops  under  his  command  i 
acquainting  him,  moreover,  with  his  intention  of* 
marching  to  Philadelphia,  and  his  hopes  of  meet- 
ing his  orders  at Shippenfburgh.  /.bout  the  fame 
time  Mr.  Dinwiddie  wrote  to  Dunbar,  propofmg 
a  fecond  auempt  on  Fort  Du  Qiiefnc.  But  a  coun- 
cil being  thereupon  held,  the  Membejs  of  which 
were  Col.  Dunbar,  Lieut.  Col.  Gage,  Governor 
Sharp,  Major  Chapman,  Major  Spark,  and  Sir 
John  St.  Clair,  it  was  unanimouQy  conceived,  that 
Mr.  Dinwiddle's  fcheme  was  impra61:icable.  The 
very  next  day,  being  the  fecond  of  Auguft,  Dun- 
bar began  his  march  towards  Pl^iladelphia,  with 
i6oo  men,  four  fix-pounders,  and  as  many  cohornsj 

leaving 


'  i  j 


I 


■»■•■*«■ 


>ii 


Frontiers  of 

Vitginia 

expofcd. 


1; f 


(    62    ) 

^755*    leaving  bchi.^d  him  the  Virginia  and  Maryland  com- 
—    panics,  and  about  400  wcun'td.     At  this  luddcn 

VUgbiruft  ^^P^'"^"''^   o^  ^^^^  ^*"^^^«^>  ^^^*^  Virginians  were  ex- 
trmely  dilbbligcd,  as  not  only  cxpofing  their  fron- 
tiers, and  occafionlng  the  daily   defcnion  of  ihcir 
provincials;  bur  becaufc  the  enemy.  In  flying  par* 
tics,  penetrated  into  the  province,  and  on  many  of 
the  inhabitants   committer^    jobberies  and   murder. 
Whatjudgmentou<?'t:  10  be  formed  ot  tli's  rcireut, 
I  leave  your  Lordihip   to   dctcnVniC.     Cerrainly 
thofe  fouthcr.i  colonies  oug'u  to  have  0.t«.-nv.hcnJ 
General  Braddock  with  a  larr^e  Irxly   of  proviiuiul 
forces,  which  had  Joubtief:    prevented  all  il',:ic  rf* 
fufton  of  bl(;Oil  and  trcalarc  — -  the  fatal  cunicqiun.. 
ce  of  their   ill  judrrcd  parlimony.!   Upon  the  advi- 
Quefi.e  pro-  ct:,  received  from  Uiinbar,  Mr.  Shiriev  oave  orciers 
for  renewing  the  atccmpr,   il  the  ibuthern   cc^lonies 
would  readily  afford  him  aconipetent  reinforcement. 
GovNRNOii  Morris  having  convened  the  Penn- 
fylvania  afTemblydnformedtheniof  the  retreat  of  our 
army,  and  in  a  well-drawn  pathetic  f])eech,  preffed 
them  to  the  moll  vigorous  meafures  for  the  defence 
of  their  borders.     They  proceeded  fo  fiiras  to  vote 
for    raifing   50,0001.  but  offering  a   bill  for   tax- 
ing  the  proprietary-e[late,  an  immediate  rupture 
cnfaed,  of  which   your  Lordfhip  is  long   fince  ac- 
quainted, by    the   ample  accounts  in  lundry  late 

pamphlets 


Another  at- 
tempt on 
Fort  Du 


ButPennfyl 
vania  with- 
holds her 
Aid. 


coin- 
itklcn 
e  ex- 
fron- 
ihcir 

my  of 

urder. 

rircAt, 

•rainly 

hciui 

rqv-'.'H- 
:  advi- 

yUtnies 

cmtnc. 

Pcnn- 

of  our 

preifed 

jefence 

to  vote 

)r   tax- 

•iipturc 

nee  ac- 

Iry  late 

nphlets 


(    63    ) 

pimphlcts  on  that  and   fimilar  fubjecfls. ,  As  to    lycc, 

Virginia  —  now  equally  open  to  the  irruptioni  of  * «—-> 

the    enemy,  four  companies  of  rangers  were  order- 
ed out,  and  the  aflVmbly  vvted  40,000!.  for  fur-  ^['/g'^/Fo- 
nifhing  a  thoufand   men  for  the  frontier  defence,  frontier  De- 
About  the  fiime  time,  met  the  council  and  aflfem-    *^"^*  *  "^* 
bly  of  New  Jerfcy,  and  the  latter  voted  30,000!. 
for  the    public  fervice  :  but  as  the  houfe  propofed 
to  prolong  the  currency  of  the  bills  for  nine  years, 
to  which  Mr.  Belcher,  who  never  fwerves  from  hii 
indruftions,  not   being   able  to   affent,    15,000!.  New  JcrA:/ 
only  was  raifed,  and  its  ufe  reftriaed  to  keeping  on  only  co""-, 

'  '  '■      '-'  nuesherregi- 

foot  her  regiment  at  Ofvvego,  commanded  by  Col.  mentinpay. 
Schuyler.  At  New  York,  the  houfe  of  reprefenta-  jy^  Lanccy's 
fives  aflembkd  on  the  5th  of  Augufl,  and  fct  out  management 

'^  o       '  with  refpeft 

with  a  generous  fpirit.  Agreeable  to  the  requeft  of  to  therein- 
the  Maflachufetts  Bay   government,  always  fore-   j/^JJ^gTu 
moft  in  military  affairs,  they  refolved  to  reinforce  Ncv¥  York, 
the  provincial  army,    deftined  for  C'own  Point, 
with  400  men      The  bill  was  aflaally  pifTed  the 
houfe  for  that purpofe;  and  the  councilhad  determi- 
ned to  conceal  from  their  knowledge,  the  contents  of 
4fecond  letter  from  Gen.  Shirley  to  Col.Dunbar,  of 
the  7Lh  of  Auguft,  in  which  he  ordered  him  to  pro- 
ceed with  his  troops  to  Albany,  for  the  prote(5bion  of 
that  important  pod,  in  cafe  the  colony  forces  (hould 
meet  with   a  repulfe.     By  this   bill  the  alTembly 

propofed  '^ 


'r 


■11 

ir' 

* 


\v 


1^ 


■!i! 


Sit 


1755 


"•.(« 


His  influence 
over  iitC 
afiembly. 


(    64    ) 

propofed  to  invert  the  rcfpcaive  captains  of  the  city 
militia  with  an  arbitrary  power  to  draught  men 
for  the  ibrvicc.  The  dcfign  of  this  extraordinary 
projea  was  fiifpeifled  to  fcrve  a  particular  purpofc, 
on  a  new  ele(5Hon  of  reprefentatives,  which,accord- 
ing  to  cuflom,  it  was  thought  would  immediately 
enfuc  the  arrival  of  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  who  was 
loon  expetfled  wiih  acommifiion  for  the  chief  com- 
mand of  this  province.  It  certainly  was  a  favourite 
bill ;  for,  contrary  to  prefident,  the  Lieut.  Gover- 
nor came  to  the  council  board*,  and  prefled  them 
topafs  it :  but  when  he  perceived  an  amendment 
preparing  for  a  ballot  of  the  recruitSin  New  York, 
as  well  as  in  the  other  counties,  he  immediately  laid 
the  General's  letter  to  Dunbar  before  the  houfe  — 
in  confequence  of  which,  the  def?<3;u  of  a  reinforce- 
ment inftantly  dropped,  and  the  afiembly  adjourn- 
ed the  next  day.  »  .    •  ■ 

After  what  I  have  already*  recounted,  your 
Lcr'-^Oiip  will  not,  I  prefume,  be  at  all  furprifed, 
to  find  Mr.  DeLancey  leaving  no  device  untried,  to 
mairjtain  the  fole  diredicn  of  the  afiembly.  He 
knew  that  on  his  inr.er«fl:  with  the  reprefentatives 

depended 

*  Before  theadmlniftrauon  of  Governor  Cofby,  it  was  cuf- 
tomary  for  the  Governors  to  be  prefent  in  the  council,  even 
when  filling  in  their  legiflative  capacity.  But  fir  ce  that  pe- 
riod, they  have  not  openly  interpofed  in  the  confuliations  of 
that  branch  of  the  legiflature. 


he  city 
It  men 
rdinary 
Lirpofc, 
iccord- 
idiatcly 
ho  was 
:f  com- 
ivouritc 
G  over- 
id  them 
ndment 
V  York, 
:ely  laid 
loiife  — 
inforce- 
idjourn- 

d,  your 
irprifed, 
tried,  to 
ly.  He 
ntatives 
epended 

t  was  cuf- 
ncil,  even 
e  that  pe- 
iltations  of 


(    65    ) 

depended  his  credit  with   the  miniftry,  and  that    175  5. 

with  the  expiration  of  his  power  to  carry  certain  * "^ 

points  of  prerogative,  would  ahb  expire  their  opi- 
nion of  his  importance.  His  agents  in  England,  to 
fupport  their  patron,  had  hitherto  amnfed  a  certain 
noble  Loid  with  many  fpecious  promifes.  They 
had  reprefented  his  capacity  to  fervc  the  Crown  m 
v^ry  magnificent  terms  •,  nor  forgot  his  readinefs  to 
procure,  whenever  an  opporti^nity  prefented,  the 
obedience  of  the  houfc  to  fome  favourite  inflruc- 
tions.  Hence  it  is  evident,  that  the  lofs  of  his  af- 
cendancy  over  that  branch  of  the  legiflature,  mufl: 
naturally  terminate  in  the  extindion  of  his  grandeur 
derived  from  the  Crown. 

While  he  held  the  reins  of  government,  alTam- 
ed  on  Sir  Danvers  Ofborne*s  deceafe,  tlie  mi.iiftry 
had  none  to  infpedl  his  condu(5t,  or  trace  him  thro* 
the  mazy  labyrinth  of  hii  politics.  From  himfclf 
came  all  their  intelligence,  and  hence  undoubtedly 
none  in  his  own  disfavour.  During  thefe  golden 
days  of  fecurity  and  repofe,  he  refigneu  himlclf  to 
pleafure,  and  indulged  his  natural  difpofition  to  vo- 
luptuoufncfs  and  eafe.  The  province,  the  mean- 
while, was  principally  governed  by  his  fecretary  j 
who,  like  a  fecond  Atlas,  bore  the  chief  burden  of 

the  (late.     Thus  negligent  of  his  politics,  his  po- 

ITis  popula- 
puhrity  began  to  fuffer  a  manifelt  declenfion.    It  rltydcil-'e'. 


.J. 

r 

^1^ 


*i 


I 


was 


(   71    ; 


:(l| 


lii; 


til 


r 


:i 


•     fil, 


I  •♦  r  r,     was  moreover  notably  abridged  by  his  paflirg  the 
^— "^^ — J    charrcr  before-mentioned,  repugnant,  by  his  own 
confc  flion,  to  the  dictates  of  his  judgment.  By  this 
flep  he  incurred  fuch  general  umbrage,  that  the  ve- 
ly  members  of  the  affembly  could  not  be  wrought 
upon  to  confirm  it.     Nay,  fo  difgullful  to  tlie  peo- 
ple was  this  charter,  that  a  majority  of  the  moft 
reputable  inhabitants  united  againft  it  in  a  petition, 
to  tlie  houfe,     Civil  liberty,  and  by  fome,  even  the 
rights  of  confcience  were  imagined  to  be  in  danger; 
and  the  oppoBtion  being,  as  it  were,  pro  am  €*?/«■» 
c:s^  was  extremely  animated.     The  Lieut.  Gover- 
nor became  now  apprehenfive  cf  the  confequence. 
He  flood  upon  the  point  of  refigning  his  command 
to  a  fuccefTor  liogrly  expelled ;  and,  without  regain- 
ing his  feat  as  chief  jufticc,  his  popularity  appeared 
defcending  from  its  meridian  :  nor,  iricafc  of  a  dilTo- 
lution  was  he  infenliblr  his  authority  with  the  houfc 
muft  fufFcr  a  tot4  eclipfc.    Your  LordflVip  cannot 
therefore  bvt  obfervc,  of  what  moment  it  was,  to 
fecure  the  friendfliip  ■^f  the  next  governor.  Permit 
me  to  p[ientioa  the  arts,  whereby  it  was  accom- 
plilhed. 
He  fecurcs        SiR  CH^^tts  Hardy  arrived  in  our  harbour  on 
the  ear  of     j^^g  jd  of  September  1755.    The  council  immedi- 
ately  convened  thcmfelves  for  his  reception.  In  the 
C^wdli  of  their  confultations,,  Mr.  Oliver  Dc  Lancey, 

without 


:i  M 


pan 
the 
bod 


rg  the 
lis  own 

By  this 
the  ve- 

TOUght 

he  peo- 
le  moft 
petitioa 
:ven  the 
danger; 
Is  f^dfo* 

Govci:- 
qnence. 
mimanci 

rcgain- 
ppearcd 
f  a  diflb- 
he  houfc 
p  cannot 

was,  to 

Permit 
i  accom- 

rbour  on 
itnmedi- 
u  In  the 
Lancey,  I 
without 


1755' 


•••■^^  «*• 


(     67     ) 

without  leave  of  the  board,  bolts  into  the  chamber, 
and  modeflly  interpofcs  his  advice,  to  fend  a  mcf- 
iage  to  Sir  Charles,  requelVmg  his  continuance  in 
the  fliip,  till  the  next  morning.  The  reafon  afTign- 
ed  was,  to  gain  time  for  drawing  out  the  militia,  to 
receive  his  excellency  at  landing,  with  the  formali- 
ty and  honour  due  to  his  rank.  But  the  true  fecrec 
was,  to  gain  an  opportunity  for  the  Lieut,  Gover- 
nor, and  a  feleft  jundo,  to  pafs.the  evening  with 
him,  in  order  to  conciliate  his  graces,  and  give 
him  early  impreflions  in  favour  of  their  party.  The 
next  day,  the  governor  publifhed  his  commifTion ; 
and  was,  by  Mr.  Dc  Lancey,  invited  to  a  public 
entertainment.  In  the  evening  they  conduced  him 
to  the  common,  to  hear  the  acclamations  of  the 
people  •,  and  on  every  occafion,  followed  him  with 
fcrvile  court  and  adulation.  To  imprefs  a  high  fcnfe 
of  his  predcceflbr*s  popularity,  they  fpared  no 
pains.  For  this  purpofe  alfo  they  intrigued  with 
the  alTembly,  and  city  corporation,  two  elective 
bodies,  and  thence  under  his  influence.  Of  the  lat-  and  procures 
ter,  Mr.  Oliver  De  Lancey,  as  alderman,  was  a  ^"^°8'uw» 

on   his  own 

member;  and,  with  true  fraternal  afFedlion,  (limu- ad .niniftra- 
lated  the  board  to  infert  in  their  addrefi^  a  compli- 
ment to  his  brother.  A  modeft  motion,  my  Lord ! 
and  fo  vehemently  urged,  that  it  was  carried,  tho' 
not  without  fome  oppofition.     The  burc'en  of  that 

momentuous 


tion^ 


(     68     ) 


1755 


S' 


I 


1  ? 


momcntuous  pafiagc,    without  which   the  vvholp 
''  had  been  jejune  and  infipid,  was  difcharged  in  thefe 
terms  —  "  We  have  the  greateft  reafon  to  exped 
"  the  continuation  of  that  wife  and  happy  admini- 
"  llration,  we  have  been  blelTcd  with  fome  time 
"  paft."  Still  greater  was  Mr.  De  Lancey's  intereft 
in  the  aflcmbly,  as  I  have  already  had  the  honour 
to  acquaint  your  Lordlhip.     But  one  gentleman  in 
that  houfe  oppofed  the  flattery  of  their  addrefs.  He 
is  a  man  of  an  affluent  independent  fortune,  a  bold 
unlhackled  fpirit,  and  of  ftrong  natural  parts.  The 
addrefs  was  calculated  to  fecureDe  Lancey's  power 
both  with  governor  and   people :  the  former,  by 
difplaying  to  Sir  Charles  his  formidable  intereft  in 
that  houfe:  the  latter,  by  preventing  a  diifolutign; 
than  which  nothing  was  theobje<5l  of  greater  dread. 
"  It  has.  Sir,   (thefe  are  the  exprcflions)  been  ufu- 
"  al  in  this  colony,  at  the  accefllonof  a  newgover- 
"  nor,  to  give  the  people  an  opportunity  of  a  new 
*'  election  of  reprefcntatives.     If  your  excellency 
*'  conceives,    that  fuch  a  meafure,  in  the  prefent 
*'  ftate  of  affairs,  will  be  conftftent  with  his  Majef- 
"  ty's  fervice,  and  the  fecurity  of  this  his  loyal  co- 
"  kny,  it  \|ill  be  agreeable  to  us,  and  to  tiie  peo- 
'*  pie  we  have  the  honour  to  reprefent. 

'•'f;  The  importance  of  the  bufmefs  under  our  conr : 
*'  fideration,  and  the  difpatch  n^celTary  to  accom- 

"  pllfli 


(     ^9     ) 


;  whole 
in  thefe 

exped 
idmini- 
le  time 
interell: 
honour 
;man  in 
efs.  He 

a  bold 
ts.  The 

•  poweT 
ler,  by 
ereft  in 
•lutign ; 
'  dread, 
en  ufu" 
gover- 
f  a  new 
ellency 
prefent 
Majef- 
)yal  co- 
le peo- 

Lirconr 
accom- 
"  pllfli 


^755" 


•'  plifh  it,  will  plead  our  excufc  to  yo\\r-  cxcellcacy, 
"  for  not  beins'  earlier  in  this  addrefs.  ,    ,„    „  . 

"  And  here.  Sir,  we  fhould  haye  ended,  were 
*'  we  not  in  juftice  bound  to. pay  fome  acknowlege- 
"  ment  to  the  adminiRration  of  your  excellency's 
•'  predeceilbr  the  Lieut.  Governor ;  whoip  upright 
*'  intentions,  as  far  as  we  had  opportunities  of  dif- 
*'  covering  thcm^  ever  tended  to  his  Majefty's  ho- 
"  nour  and  fervice,  and  the  welfare  and  prosperity 
'*  of  this  colony."  ^  -  ;  •: 

Mr.  De  Lancey  is  one  of  the  rnofV  fortunate 
of  men.  While  the  people  impatiently  expeded  a 
diflblution,  an  express  arrived  on  the  12th  o^  Sep- 
tember, with  a  confultd,  but  alarrning  account 
of  an  acftion  at  Lake  George.  This  rendered  it 
neceflary  Ibr  Sir  Charles  Hardy  immediately  to 
proceed  to  Albany.  Thither,  the  Lieut.  Governor, 
accompanied  him,  and  had  thereby  a  fair  opipor- 
tunity  to  ingrofs  and  cajole  him.,  I  fliall  fivfpend 
the  relation  of  his  fuccefs,  till  I  have  laid  before 
your  Lordfliip  the  progrefs  of  the  prgvineial  army,- 
and  their  repulfe  of  the  French.       ...   :...:.,  :•:,'  .^;. 

Major  Gi;n.  Lyman, being  advanced,  with  the 
troops  to  the  Carrying-Place,  about  60  miles  from , 
Albany,  was  waiting  the  arrival  of  General  Johnr  _ 

Lyman 

fon,  who  fet:  .out  from  thence  on  the  8.th  of  Au-  buiidir  a  fort 
uft,  with  the  train  of  artillery.  Lyman  liadbef^Un?  ^  1.  ^^'^^ 

J         J  i=>        \ng  Place. 

a  fort 


1" 


:>|t:. 
if 


3i!; 


i- 


1  , 
(I 


•:-!' 


■■•-;'■ 


or 
O 


;|i 


w 


1^: 


14, 


i     70     ) 

**755*  '^<>^'*^  the  landing,  on  the  ea(l  fide  ofllndrnri's 
"•■•^•""^  River,  now  called  Fort  Kdward.  About  the  latter 
end  of  the  moftth.  Gen.  Jo  nfon,  with  the  main 
body,  moved  forward  14  tP'''"'i  mure  northerly,  and 
pitched  his  camp  at  th<r  ibuih  end  of  Lake  George, 
before  called  St!  Sacrarnei-t,  By  i')r^^c  Indians,  who 
had  been  fent  as  fcouts,  V  t  rv  -rv.  ■'?  the  following 
advices: — That  they  1:.'  d  .oVer:d  a  party  of 
French  and  Indians  at  1  C.ctv^  •■  ge,  fituafe  on  the 
ifthmus  between  the  noriti  tr^'  '  '^ake  G'Torae  and 
the  fouthern  part  of  Lake  Ch.iii'  uin,  15  miles  on 
this  fide  Crown  Point  •,  bu  clvvi: '  no  woiks  were 
there  thrown  up.  To  hive  Ir.  ured  thi?  Pufi,  which 
commanded  the  rou'^e  toCi^wn  PoIhi  through  the 
Lake,  had  been  a  mealuie  extremely  advAfeable, 
Mr.  Johnfon,  informed  of  -its  importance,  on  the 
ift  of  September  wrote  to  Gen.  Shirley,  that  h« 
was  impatient  to  get  up  his  battocs-,  propofing 
then  to  proceed  with  part  of  the  troops,  and  feizc 
upon  that  pafs.  The  French  however  took  ad- 
vantage of  the  delay,  and  cut  out  work  enough 
for  him  ac  his  own  camp.     -  '  >  *  '■■ 

Of  the  tbops  that  failed  from  Breft  in  the  fpring, 
amounting  to  about  3000,  your  Lordfhip  knows, 
eight  companies  were  taken  with  the  Lys  and  Al- 
cide  men  of  war,  who  fell  in  with  our  fleet  com- 
manded by  Admiral  Bofcawen.  One  thoufand 
'  were 


"»  I 


'S 


I     ;9     ) 

were  landed  at  Lonifburgh  ;  and  the  refiduc  arrived'    1 75 5t 
at  Quebec,  with  Moni"".  dc  Vandreuil  governor-ge-  '—- *-v^-*^ 
neral  of  CanaHa,     .id  Baron  Dieflcau,  conamander 
of  the  forces.     The  French  Court,  well  apprifcd 
of  the  fmgular  confequence  ot  Ofwego,  had  deter- 
mined to  reduce  it.     Such  being  the  Baron's  in-  I>»cflcau  de- 
ftruflions,  he  immediately  proceeded  to  Montreal^,  jf  "J  q^J^^ 
from  whence  he  detached  700  of  his  troops  up  the  go ; 
river,  intending  himfelffpeedily  to  join  them  with, 
the  remainder.     Jufl  before  he  had  made  the  ne- 
ceflary  preparations,  Montreal  was  alarmed  with  the 
news  of  our  forming  a  numerous  army  near  Lake 
St.  Sacrament,  for  the  rednflion  of  Fort  Frederic^ 
and  perhaps  to  penetrate  into  the  heart  of  Canada; 
"Whereupon  a  grand  council  being  held,  the  Baron  ^'^^ "  ^** 
was  importuned  to  proceed  thro'  Lake  Champlain,, 
for  the  defence  of  that  fortrefs :  nor  was  he  without 
great  difficulty  prevailed  upon  to  alter  his  intended 
roqte. 

Pi^SKAU,  having  in  vain  waited  the  coming  ^^^  n>arche« 
up  of  our  army,  at  length  refolyed  himfelf  to  ad-  Gen,  John- 
vance  towards  them ;  and  if  he  proved  vidorious, 
to  defolate  our  northern  fettlements,  lay  the  towns 
©f  Albany  and  Schenectady  in  afhes,  and  cut  off 
all  communication  with  Ofwego.  A  dreadful  re- 
folution,  my  Lord  !  And  had  he  fucceedcd  —  I 
tremble  at  the  thought  — »  had  he  fuccceded.     But 

the 


Ton. 


f   ;  T' 

i 


■I   "' 


r  ,?:v.i 


1  M 

:!sl 


\{\ 


"M 


^k 


i 


\ 


■Hi 


*■•■ 

:■    4'. 


i'755' 


(     72     ) 

the  Sujjreme  Difpofer  of  events  had  not  yet  dcvot- 
U—.-V.-.—   ^j  ^g  ^Q  j.^^-j^  ^  ^j^j  therefore,  like  the  councils  of 

Achitophel,  blafted  the  fanguinary  purpofc.  —      ' 

For  the  execution' of  this  defign,  he  embarked 

at  Fort  St.   Frederic  with  20CO  men  in  battbes, 

.,  and  landed  at  the  South  Bay  *.     Of  this  movement, 

'  Gen.  Johhfon  had  not  the  lead  intimation,  till  his 

fcouts  difcovered  their  adlual  departure  from  the 

South  Bay  towards  Fort  Edward.     Py  an  Englifh 

prifoncr  the  Baron  was  told  that  the  fort   was  de- 

fencelefs,   and  our  camp  at  the  Lake,  when  he 

left    it   a  few   d?ys   before,     without  lines,   and 

dcflitute  of  cannon.     Having  approached  within 

two  miles  of  Fort  Edward,  he  opened  his  defign 

to  his  troops,    confiding  of  600  militia,  as  many 

Indians,    and  200  regulars.     To  animate  his  irre- 

HIc  Irregu-  gulars,  who  feemed  difinclined  to  the  attack  pro- 

,  ,    ^pofed,  he  afliired  them,  that  inevitable  muft  be 

Fort  Ed-      their  fuccefs  —  "  that  on  reducing  this  fort,    the 

"  Englifh  camp  muft  necelTarily   be  abandoned, 

"  and  their  army  difperfe  in  great  diforder  —  that 

"  this  would  enable  them  to  fubdue  Albany  ;  and 

"  by  ftarving  the  garrifon  of  Ofwego,  fuperadd  to 

"  to  their  conqueft  the  abfolute  dominion  of  Onta- 

rio."  with  whatever  intrepidity  this  harangue  in- 

fpired  his  European  troops,  the  Canadians  and  fa- 


ward. 


vages 


About  16  miles  from  the  Englilh  encampment. 


dcvot- 
cils  of 

)arked 
attoes, 
;mcnt, 
till  his 
m  the 
^nglifh 
as  de- 
len  he 
s,  and 
within 
defign 
many 
is  irre- 
:k  pro- 
lift  be 
•t,  the 
doned, 
—  that 
^ ;  and 
radd  to 
FOnta- 
giie  in- 
and  ra- 


vages 


c. 


—J 


(     73     ) 

vages,  fearful  of  our  cannon,  were  utterly  averle  to  I  755. 
the  I'chenie  •,  but  declared  their  willingncfs  to  Rir- 
prife  our  camp,  where  they  expeded  nothing  beyond 
mufquetry  *.  Thusdifappointed  in  his  principal  de-  "'='^''^" 
fign,  he  changed  his  route,  and  began  to  move  cmip ; 
againft  the  main  body  at  the  Lake.  Gen.  Johnfon, 
on  the  information  of  his  fcouts,  had  difpatchcd 
fepcrate  meflcngers  to  Fort  Edward,  wit  a  advice 
of  the  enemy's  approach  towards  that  garrifon ; 
of  which  one  was  unfortunately  intercepted  :  the  reft 
who  got  back,  reported,  that  they  had  defcried  the 
enemy  about  four  miles  to  the  northward  of  the  forr. 
Inftead  of  any  attempt  to  difcover  the  ftrength  of 
the  guard  left  with  their  battoes  at  the  South  Buy, 
which  might  eafily  have  been  cut  off,  a  council  of 
war  refolved  the  next  morning  to  detach  1000  men> 
with  Tome  Indians,  to  fall  upon,  or,  as  Mr.  Johnfon 
exprefTcs  it  in  his  letter  to  the  feveral  governors, 
*'  to  catchy  the  enemy  in  their  retreat."  On  this 
fervicc  commanded  Col.  Willian^s,  a  brave  olFicer, 
who  met  the  baron  within  four  miles  of  our  camp. 
The  Englifh,  my  Lord,  were  encamped  on  the; 
banks  of  Lake  George,  being  covered  on  either 
fide  by  a  low  thick-wooded  fwamp.  After  the 
march  of  the  detachment,  G^a.  Johnfon  drew  up 


:?;! 


•.ft 

.ii 


K 


tac 


*  Our  artillery  was'  got    up  to  the  camp  from   Fort   Edward 
but  a  day  or  two  before  the    adlioPt  of  wiJch  tlie  Ffincii  bad 


no  inieyiiijence. 


;?♦' 


,.m; 


f^i,' 


1 1 

■''if 


I; 

■ii 
Ml 


ft! 


1755- 


ar.<1  mest. 
t'ur  dttach- 


r74— J 

the  cannon,  then  at  500  yards  dlftance  fron'.  the 
front.  Trees  where  alio  felled  to  form  fomc  fort 
of  breaft-work  :  and  this  was  all  his  cover  againft 
an  attack  ;  having  hitherto  flrangely  dcl?)cd  the 
proper  rttrenchments- 

About   an  hour  after   Williams's  departure,  a 
heavy  fire  was  heard  •,  which  evidently  approaching, 
Gen,  Johnfon  judged  rightly,  that  our  detachment 
was   retreating  :  for   the  French  were   luptrior  in 
number,  amounting  to  about  iSro.     Upon   this 
he   fcnt  out  a   reinforcement   to   fupport  them  ; 
which  was  veryjudicioufly  conduced  on  the  death 
of  Williams,  by  Lieut.  Col.  Whiting,  a  Conne- 
ticut  officer,  who  gained  much  applaufe  at  the  re- 
du6llon  of  Louifourgh.     Gen.  Johnfon  informs  the 
governors,  '*That  about  half  an  hour  after  eleven 
"  the  enemy  appeared  in  fight,  and   marched  a- 
"  long  the  road  in  very  regular  order,  directly  up-, 
''  on  our  center  :  That  they  made  a  fmall  halt, 
"  about   150  yards  from    the  breaft-work,  when 
"  the  regular  troops  made  ihe  grand  and  center 
attack-,  while  the  Canadians  and  Indians  fquatted 
and  difperfed  on  our  flanks.'*     This  halt  was 
the  baron's  capital  error :  for,  amidfl  the  conftcr- 
nation  at  the  camp,  had  he  clofely  followed  up  the 
detachment,  he  had   eafily  forced  their  lines,  and 
gained  a  complete  victory.     But  by  continuing  for 

fouic 


(C 


cc 


i\ 


11; 


orr.  the 

mc  fort 

again  ft 

)cd  the 

rture,  a 
)aching, 
chment 
:trior  in 
on   this 

them  ; 
le  death 
Conne- 

the  re- 
rms  the 
r  eleven 
ched  a- 
Ctly  up- 

ill  halt, 
:,  when 
3  center 
quatted 
alt  was 
con  lie  r- 
up  the 
es,  and 
ling  for 
fomc 


(    75    ) 

*ome  time  ?  platoon  fire,  with  little  execution  at  I755. 
that  diftance,  our  men  recovered  their  fpirits.  As  '  "  ' 
foon  as  the  artillery  began  to  play,  Dieikau    and  1 

his  regulars  found  thcmfelves  totally  delcrtcd  by  '    \ 

the  militia   and  favagcs,  who  all  flculkcJ  into  ths 
fwamps,  took  to  trees,  and   mantained  a  Icaitered 
fire  upon  our  flanks,  for  fome  time,  with  variable 
and  intermitting  bril"kncfs.     Having  now  no  com-  ireisacfeat. 
mand  of  any  part  of  his  army,  except  his  handful  ^^'  **"'  . 
of  regulars,  the  baron  thought  proper  to  retire  •,  foncr. 
which  he  did  in  very  great  diforder.    A  party  from 
the  camp  followed  him,  fell  upon  his  rear,  difpcr- 
fed  the   remaining  foidiers  about  him,  and   beinj 


-.4 


•g 


himfclt  wounded  in  the  leg,  was  found  relting  on 
a  ftump,  utterly  abandoned  and  deftitute  offuc- 
cour.  Feeling  for  his  watch,  to  furrcnder  i:,  one 
of  our  men,  fufpcfting  him  in  fcarch  of  a  pillol, 
poured  a  charge  thro'  his  hips  -,  of  which  wound  he 
is  not  yet  recovered.  Upon  his  retreat,  the  mili- 
tia and  Indians  retired  in  fmall  parties  :  and  as  the 
Englifli  neglected  to  continue  the  purfuit,  they 
halted  about  four  miles  from  the  camp,  at  the  very 
place  where  the  engagement  happened  in  the  morn- 
ing. Opening  their  packs  for  refrelhment,  they 
here  entered  into  confultation,  refpe^fling  a  fecond 
attack.  Why  the  enemy  was  not  purlued,  when . 
their  retreat  became  general,  no  tolerable  reafon 

has 


4. 


Gallant  be- 
h.ivi')ur  of 
iVI*  CJinnci. 


(     7<i     ) 

17  c  r.  has  ever  yet  been  afTigned  •,  and  Mr.  Johnfon  in 
— V his  letter,  Teems  very  artfully  to  evade  it.  No- 
thing iiowever  could  be  more  fortunate  than  the 
gallant  bchaviourof  a  party  confiding  of  about  200, 
led  by  Capt,  M'  Ginncs,  who  had  been  detached 
from  Fort  Edward,  to  the  afliftance  of  the  main 
body.  They  fell  upon  the  French  in  the  evening, 
]^ur  an  end  to  their  confultations,  and  gave  them 
a  Lotal  overthrow.  M' Ginnes  died  of  the  wounds 
he  received  in  this  reincounter,  having  fignalized 
himfelf  by  a  fpirit  and  condudl  that  would  have 
done  honour  to  a  more  experienced  officer.  ,  , 
Utinark  on  j^j^^  WRAXAL.in  his  letter  to  the  Lieut.  Govcr- 
;naj,i  atior.  ^^°'*  ^^  ^ '«^w  York,  told  him,  he  (lood  fo  near  Gen. 
Johnfon,  when  the  latter  received  his  wound,  that 
"  he  thought  he  faw  the  ball  enter  :'*  which  curi- 
ous piece  of  intelligence  was  obliterated  before  its 
public:\tion.  I  only  mention  this  circumftance  tp 
convince  your  Lcrddiip,  liiat  the  mod  intrepid 
loldier  hath  not  always  the  fame  prefence  ot 
mind.  • 

If  the  dufli  of  the  evening  was  too  far  advanced, 
before  the  repulfe  at  the  Lake,  for  an  immediate  pur- 
fuit  (which  by  the  way  could  notbethecafc,finceM' 
Ginncs's  encounter  was  fubfequent)  yet  the  ncgledt 
of  it  the  next  day  admits  of  no  colourable  apology. 
Mr.  Lyman  urged  it  with  great  warmth  ;  but  the 

general 


The  enemy 


by 


rum 


ifon    in 

.     No. 

lan  the 

lit  200, 

e  cached 

c  main 

vcning, 

c  them 

wounds 

nalizcd 

Id  have 

Govcr- 
ar  Gen. 
id,  that 
ch  curi- 
foie  its 
ance  tp 
ntrepid 
nue    ot 

/anced, 
atcpur- 
Incc  M' 
negledl 
pology. 
Diit  the 
general 


(    77    ) 

general  with  mofl  of  the  field  officers,  are  accufcd  lyCCk 
of  an  equal  difinclination.  Mr.  Johnfon,  tojudgc  *^-«-'^—«^ 
by  his  letter,  fcemed  well  fatisfied  with  his,  efcapc,  , ,  .. 
and  determined  with  this  a(5lion  toclofe  the  prefent 
campaign.  Ii  was  probably  to  avoid  the  profccu-! 
tion  of  lae  expedition,  that  he  tranfmitted  no  ac- 
count of  the  battle  to  General  Shirley  •,  contenting 
himfelf  with  rcqueding  Lieut.  Governor  Phipps  to 
fend  a  copy  of  his  letter  from  BoHon,  tho*  his  own 
fituation  was  200  miles  nigher  to  Ofwcgo.  The 
Gentleman  at  Albany,  to  whom  his  difpatches  were 
intruded,  furpe(5ting  their  contents,  and  conceiving 
their  communication  to  the  General  abfolutcly  ne* 
ceflary  for  his  Majelly's  fervice,  broke  open  the 
letter  to  Governor  Phipps,  and  fent  an  cxprcfs 
with  a  copy  to  Ofwego.  ; 

The  Indians,  during  the  whole  of  the  engage- The  Indian* 

ment,  fome  of  the  Mohawks  only  excepted,  retired  i°*"*^  "°Mn 

*  thcaflion. 

from  the  camp,  waiting  the  event  ot  the  confli<5l 

at  a  convenient  diflance.  Nor  indeed  was  their 
afllftance  cxpefled,  by  thofe  who  knew  their  boalled 
fidelity  was  a  mere  delufion,  and  Mr.  Johnfon's  fo 
much  magnified  influence,  what  it  has  fincc  ap- 
peared to  all  men,  the  grolTefl:  impopLure.  TheyX 
even  declared  before  their  march,  they  intended 
not  to  engage,  but  to  be  witnefll-s  of  the  gallantry 
of  our  troops.     And  had  Dicfkau  won  the  day, 

equaly 


'.-} 


h 


.'« 


4n 


»7S5 


snd  left  our 
arm/  jifter  it. 


Major  Gen. 
Lyman  ma- 
Hcioufly 
chaaged  with 
fcowardice. 


,(.    78    ) 

equally  ready  had  they  been  to  Icalp  their  brethren 
the  Englilh,  as  now  they  appeared  toexrrcife  their 
brutal  dexterity  on  the  French.  Moreover,  they 
came  in  a  body  to  Albany,  inr.nncd lately  aker  the 
battle,  on  pretence  of  celebrating  the  fuccefs  of 
our  arms,  and  to  condole  with  the  widows  of  thofc 
who  fell  in  the  aftiun.  ThisS,  fays  one  of  Mr. 
Johnfon's  cncomiafts,  is  their  cu'toin  •,  fubj /ining 
prophctci  illy,  that  tlu/  were  in  a  fortnight  after 
their  departure  to  return  to  the  camp.  Tiic  ra- 
vages, my  Lord,  oblL-rvc  no  fuch  caft'>  <i,  fave  01 
the  conclufion  of  an  enterprize  \  wh*-  ias  this  was 
fcarcely  commenced  :  and  as  to  their  return,  'tis 
notorious  they  never  did.  Befidcs,  had  the  gene- 
ral the  real  intcreft:  pretended,  would  he  not,  for 
once,  have  induced  them  to  poftpone  their  trium- 
phant feftivity,  and  untimely  condolence,  when 
their  prefence  at  the  camp,  would  they  realy  fight, 
was  of  indifpenfablc  neceflity  ;  and  himfelf  in  expec- 
tation of  afecond  attack  ♦,  nor,  by  the  ft  rain  of  his 
letter,  exempt  from  a  little  perturbation  of  mind  ? 

To  render  the  luft:cr  of  this  o-entleman's  charec- 
tet  fl;ill  more  refulgent,  by  preventing  any  one's 
(baring  with  him  the  glory  of  the  day,  a  jundo 
combined  at  the  camp,  and  framed  a  letter*,  im- 
peaching 

* Minds  that  will  mourt  into  fuperiorftate. 

Climb  mifcheif's  ladder  — 

•RiCHARDs's  Meflalina. 


U'-0 


rm 


peaching  Mr.  Lyman,  the  fccond  in  camnund,  of  1 755. 
daftardlf  carriage,  which  tltcy  procured  one  Cole,  ^ 
a  fellow  of  no  reputation,  tJ  fign,  and  convey  to  . 
the  prefs.     A  notable  inllance  of  the  amazing  la^- 
titude  to  which  an   invidious  fpirit  is  capable  of 
proceeding  .  So  true  is  the  poet's  obfervation, 

^—  Men  that  make 
Envy  and  crooked  malice  nourifhment. 
Dare  bite  the  bell  —  Smakesp, 

For,  in  rrality,  no  man,  my  Lord,  behaved  with 
more  magnanimity,  than  the  unfortunate  objedl  of" 
their  jealoufy  :  and  from  his  fuperior  merit  aflually 
arofe  their  malignity,  as  he  thence  rivalled  their  dei- 
fied idol.  Thereafon  why  this  much  injured  officer 
deferred  his  viiiJication,  was  not  only  the  difgracc- 
ful  name  of  his  calumniator,  but  becaufe  he  cx- 
pefted  that  jultice  from  the  public  -,  who  accord- 
ingly, in  teftimony  of  his  meri\%  veiled  him,  the 
next  campaign,  with  the  fame  importanc  po(h 
But  numbers  of  witnefTes  —  eye  witnefles,  utterly 
impartial,  and  not  belonging  to  the  camp,  are 
ready  to  depofc,  tha.  by  them  he  was  feen  fight- 
ing like  a  lion,  and  expofing  his  life  in  the  hotted 
of  the  battle  :  not  to  mention  a  gentleman  *  of  un- 
doubted  veracity,  to  whom  Gen,  Johnfon,  two 
dajr   after  the   action,    frankly  acknowledged  in 

•  Col.  John  Ranfbhir,  of  Albany, 


1 


:k\ 


(     8o     ) 


I 


¥. 


k 


^755'    ^^^  ^^^^^  ^^*^  ^°  Lyman  was  chicfr/  to  be  afcribcd 

* kr      '    jI^jj  honour  of  the  vifVory. 

Remarks  Oil       I  SHALL  nc^v,    my  Lord,  take   the  liberty   to 

JafonTfor  "^^^^  ^  ^'^^  remarks  on  Mr.  Johnfon's  letter  to  the 
not  purfuing  governors  ;  and  examine  the  reafons  afligned  ^- 
t  e  enemy,  g£^^  purfuing  his  advantage,  as  well  as  thofe  al- 
inghlsexpc-  edged  for  not  profecuting  the  expedition.  The 
duion,  repulfe  of  the  French  delivered  us  from  fuch  un- 

fpcakable  calamity,  naturally  to  be  apprehended 
from  the  enemy's  fuccefs»  that  we  have  infinite 
rcafon  to  thank  the  God  of  Armies,  for  thus  re- 
markably refcuing  us  from  the  jaws  of  perdition. 
Nor  ought  we  to  mention  either  our  officers  or 
men,  who  generally  behaved  as  well  as  could  be 
expedted,  without  a  fuitablc  tribute  of  gratitude. 
But  the  General's  own  letter  will  enable  me  to  con- 
vince your  Lordfhip,  that  the  magnificent  tro- 
phies erefled  to  his  fame,  fprung  wholly  from  the 
New  York  cabal ;  whofe  fervices,  when  encircled 
with  his  laurals,  he  was  ever  after  to  acknowledge 
and  retaliate 

—  facra  redemitus  tcmpori  lauro 
•—  veterem  Anchifem  agnofcit  amicum. 
By  this  letter  he  appears  fo  confcious  of  deferving 
repreheniion,  rather  than  applaufe,  that  the  latter 

•r 

part  of  his  epiftle  is  apparently  calculated  to  divert 
all  inqyiry  into  the  true  rcafon  of  his  not  purfuing 

the 


^i-M 


(     8'     ) 


'm 


nu 


fcribcd 

:rty  to 
•  to  the 
;ned  ^- 
lofe  al- 
The 
ich  un- 
hcnded 
infinite 
hus  re- 
•dition. 
cers  or 
»uld  be 
ititudc. 
to  con- 
nt  tro- 
om  the 
icircled 
iwieds:c 


cum. 
:ferving 
e  latter 
)  divert 
urfuing 
the 


the  enemy,  and  breaking  up  the  campaign,  with-  I  75  C, 
out  paying  a  vifit,  to  Crown  Point.  "  Our  men,  *~"' 
**  fays  he,  have  fuffered  fo  much  fatigue  for  three 
"  days  paftj  and  are  conftantly  Handing  upon  thei^ 
<*  afms  by  day^  hilf  the  whole  upon  guard  by  night, 
**  and  the  reft  lie  down  armeJ  and  accoutercd  ^  that 
*'  both  officers  and  men  are  almoft  worn-out."  I 
can't  help  thinking,  that  had  the  general  begun  his 
breall-work  nriorc  feafonably,  and  not  waited  for 
intelligence  of  the  enemy's  advancing,  before  he 
ordered  up  hk  cannon,  his  men  had  been  lefs  fa- 
tigued by  this  redoubtable  adioni  But  lead  the 
world  ilioUld  remain  in  the  dark  about  the  real 
grounds  of  his  apprehdrifioh,  hd  proceeds  —  "  The 
"  enemy  may  rally  -,  and  we  judge  they  have  confi- 
de rablc  reinforcemehts  near  at  hand."  I  queitiorj^ 
hiy  Lord,  whether  the  wholcf  circlt  of  hitlory  af- 
fdrds  a  firtgle  inftanCe  of  an  army's  rallying,  after 
ihe  flaughte!"  of  1000  men  (his  own  computation) 
out  of  about  iSoo,  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy. 
And  whence  he  conjectured  they  had  any  reinforce-- 
ments  fo  near  at  hand,  as  not  to  be  able  to  join 
their  routed  detachment,  fliil  remiins  one  of  thofe 
arcanas  of  ftatc,  which,  by  common  uncerftandings, 
is  not  to  be  fathomed  :  or,  if  the  French  confiftcd 
of  200  grenadiers^  800  GanadianSj  and  700  Indi- 
ans (the  barons  account  to  the  general)  fo  great  a 

L  daughter 


t 


I- 


1 


* 

■I'v 

V 


%  ^ 


7    -,.' 


(       82       ) 

I  755'    ^^"g^'^^''  **  '*'  pretended  by  the  letter,  with  the 

, l^^g  Q^  ^j^g  grcatcft  part  oic  the  principal  officers, 

and  Monf.  St.  Pierre,  who  had  the  chief  command 
and  influence  over  the  Indians,  muft  have  reduced 
them  to  Icfs  than  8oo.  i  m  thefe,  one  would 
have  imagined,  there  was  no  danger  of  a  fecond 
attack.  Far  more  probable  was  it,  that  for  fo 
momentous  an  cnterprize  as  the  rcdudion  of  the 
forts  before-mentioned,  the  French  had  muftcred 
all  the  forces  they  could  fparefrom  Crown  Point 
and  Tinondcroge,  where  many  of  the  regular 
troops  were  pofteJ  j  efpecially,  as  they  went  un- 
furnilhed  with  cannon.  Add  to  this,  that  our  ar- 
my was  now  flu  (lied  with  victory  ;  the  enemy,  on 
the  contrary,  difconccrted  •,  and,  according  to  his 
account,  moft  of  their  principal  officers,  and  noany 
of  their  men,  flain  -,  the  Indians  too,  by  the  death 
of  St.  Pierre,  probably  wavering  and  diffipated* 
This,  if  fuch  were  the  fafls,  was  a  glorious  op- 
portunity to  difpofcfs  them  of  Tinonderoge.  But 
the  longer  they  were  fufFered  to  fortify,  the  more 
arduous  the  tafk  to  diflodge  them,  and  the  gr^-ater 
the  lofs  of  our  prefcnt  advantage,  refulting  from 
their  defeat  and  our  fucccfs.  Bcfides,  was  their 
any  probability  of  their  returne  the  next  day,  to 
re-aflault  the  camp  with  mufquctry,  when  the  cf- 
fcfls  of  our  cannon  (admiting  them  to  have  done 

the 


th  the 

fEcers, 

nmand 

educed 

would 

fecond 

for  fo 

of  the 

uftcred 

Point 

regular 

tnt  un- 

our  ar- 

ny,  on 

y  to  his 

d  many 

c  death 

Tipated* 

ms,  on- 

?.    But 

e  more 

greater 

g  from 

IS  their 

day,  to 

the  cf- 

e  done 

the 


the  pretended  execution*)  was  dill  fo  recent  in    1 755. 
their  memories ;  and  lo  the  Indians,  even  the  firft 
lime,  fo  vifibly  tremendous  ?  But  the  cautious  ge- 
neral fubjoins  —  "  We  don*t  think  it  either  prudent 
*'  or  fafe  to  be  fending  out  parties  in  fearch  of  the 
"  dead."  I  agree,  it  had  been  more  for  his  Majel>y's 
fervice  to  have  difpatched  them  in  purfuit  of  the 
living.     After  a  Ihort  paragraph  concerning   the 
wounded,  his  panic  returns  —  "  I  think  we  may 
*'  expeft  very  fhortly  a  more  formidable  attack.'* 
More  formidable  than  what  ?  Why,  than  that  of 
their  regulars  firing  at  a  dillance  and  the  Canadians 
and  Indians  running  away  —  "  and  that  the  enemy 
"  will  then  come  with  artillery."  I  wonder  whether 
this  gentleman  expedled  to  reduce  Crown  Point 
without  bemg  expofed  to  the  French  artillery.  But 
whence  this  furmife  of  a  more  formidable  atuck, 
he  thinks  not  proper  to  communicate.    It  was  well 
known,  the  whole  force  fentfrom  France  amount- 
ed to  about  3000 :  —  that  of  thefe.  Admiral  Bof- 
cawen  took  eight  companies,  and  1 000  were  in  gar- 
rifon  at  Louifbourgh.     Admitting  therefore  that 
all  the  reft  arrived  at  Quebec,  without  any  lofs,  (a 

favourable 

•  The  cannon  were  fo  ill-ferved,  and  highly  elevated,  that 
they  did,  beyond  all  controverly,  no  execution  at  all  none  of 
the  dead  being  obferved  to  have  been  killed  by  car.non-lhot : 
butamongft  the  tops  of  the  trees,  30  and  40  feci  iiieh,  thev 
made  great  and  ufelefs  harock,  * 


■■A 


1755 


\ 


4' 


ii 


(     8+     ) 

favourable  concefTion)  the  utmoft  amount  that 
™  reached  Canada  was  about  1700-,  of  which  500 
were  at  Cadaraqui :  fothat,  without  any  allowance 
for  thole  killed  at  the  camp,  or  in  the  mock  pur- 
fuit  which  cnfuod,  the  whole  number  of  regulars 
that  arrived  with  Dieikau,  and  could  come  againft 
him,  but  little  exceeded  iioo.  The  gentleman 
proceeds  —  "  The  late  Col.  Williams  had  the  ground 
*.'  cleared  for  building  a  ftockaded  fort :  our  men 
,"  arc  fo  harrafTed,  and  obliged  to  b^  upon  watchful 
*'  duty,  that  I  think  it  would  be  both  unfeafonablc, 
"  and  I  fear  in  vain,  to  fet  them  at  work  upon  the 

defigned  fort.    I  defign  to  order  the  New  Hamp« 
*  fliire  regiment  up  here  to  reinforce  us :  and  1 

hope  fome  of  the  defigned  reinforcements  will  be 
"  with  us  in  a  few  days,     Whcnthefe  frefh  troops 
•'  arrive,  I  (hall''  —  I  dare  fay  your  Lordlhip  expeds 
at  lead  the  demolition  of  Fort  St.  Frederic  :  nothing 
like  it  —  "  I  fliall  immediately  fet  arbout  building 
."  a  fort."  Still  the  ftrongeftfymptomsrf  terror  and 
nlarm:  for,  'tis  evident  from  this  parage,  he  had 
TiOw  laid  afide  all  thoughts  of  proferutir^^  rls^  expe- 
dition, fliould  even  fuccoucs  arrive,  \  fuel  foon 
after  fuccours  did  nrhv,  and  in  grea^.r  numbers 
than  were  necefTary.    AH  ^is  puiiVant  p-urpofes  ter- 
minated now,  "  in  fettirg  iibou:  biiJding  a  fort." 
And  if  indeed  he  thought  Crown  Point  impregnable 

by 


C<. 


£( 


ant  that 
dch  500 
llowancc 
)ck  pur- 
rcgulars 
;  againil 
ntleman 
;  ground 
)ur  men 
A'atchfut 
ifonablc, 
ipon  the 

J :  and  I 
s  will  be 
m  troops 
cxpe6l$ 
nothing 
xiilding 
r  and 

AC  '112a 

brcxpe- 
iici  foon 
111  ni  hers 
ofes  tCT- 
a  fort." 
egnablc 
by 


(      85      ) 

,by  the  army  then  under  his  command,  above  4^00  1 75  C. 
•ftrong,  he  mull  neceflarily  conclude  it  would  be  ^— v--— ' 
found  fo  the  next  year,  by  double  the  number: 
and  if  then  attempted  thro*  another  route,  his  grand 
fortrcfs  at  the  end  of  the  Lake  was  abfolutely  ufe- 
•lefs.  Nor  would  it  prove  any  defence  to  the  coun- 
try between  Lake  George  and  Hudfon's  River, 
while  the  French  could  penetrate  it  by  two  other 
more  ufual  paffagcs,  the  South- Ray  and  Wood- 
Creek;  thro*  the  former  of  which  they  \  ad  aflually 
marched  to  his  camp.  And  as  to  their  formidable 
attack  with  artillery,  whence  could  they  bring  ir, 
but  from  Crown  Point  ?  And  if  they  learnt  he  in- 
tended, in  the  prefent  campaign,  nothing  beyond 
building  a  ftockaded  fort,  that  very  intelligence 
was  fuflicient  to  induce  them  to  attack  the  camp 
with  cannon ,  againfl:  which,  I  am  confident,  his 
fort  would  make  but  a  very  indifferent  refiftance. 
Bur,  in  reality,  *tA'as  moft  probable  they  would  ex- 
ert their  efforts  in  (Irengthenirig  Crown  Point  and 
Tinonderoge ;  the  redu6lion  of  which,  for  not  im- 
proving our  fuccefs  at  the  camp,  will  coft  us  a  vafi 
addition  of  blood  and  treafure. 

Thus,  my  Lord,  ended  this  expenfive  expedi-  Refieaiona 
tion  in  crcflino;  a  wooden  fort;  faulted  by  Mr.  ^"^'^*^^^''- 

^  '  tune  and 

Montrefor*;  and,  I  dare  fay,  derided  by  the  ene-   condua  of 

this  general. 


IJil 


my. 


iii 


tf  ! 


•  Chief  engineer. 


(     8.6     ) 

^755'  ^y'  ^°  '^*^^  ^^  ^^^^  ^"^  '"^^  obtained  laurels  with- 
•"""-r.'-Tr'  put  earning  them,  it  was  this  fortunate  general  j 
who,  by  the  fplendid  reprcfentations  of  his  fecrc- 
tary,  and  the  fovereign  decree  of  his  patron,  is  ex- 
alted into  an  eminent  hero.  To  the  panegyrical 
pen  of  Mr.  Wraxal,  and  the  —  fic  volo,  fic  jubeo 
—  of  Lieut.  Gov.  De  Lancey,  is  to  be  afcribcd 
that  mighty  renown,  which  echoed  thro*  the  colo- 
nies, reverberated  to  Europe,  and  elevated  a  raw 
unexperienced  youth  into  a  kind  of  fecond  Marl- 
borough— ;      .:    •  ' 

Forcunate  puer,  tu  nunc  cris  alter  ab  illo. 

So  capricious  is  fortune,  and  fo  fond  of  Iporting 
with  human  affairs.  The  emperor  Sevcrus  (I  think 
it  is  Herodian  tells  the  ftory)  when  obliged  to  raifc 
the  fiege  of  Atras,  the  only  attempt  in  which  he 
had  ever  been  baffled,  thought  himfelf  conquered 
becaufe  he  did  not  conquer :  but  our  hero,  it  feems, 
is  a  conqueror,  becaufc  he  was  not  conquered. 
When  a  general  finds  himfelf  attacked  in  his  camp, 
a  very  quaker  methinks,  wouki  forget  his  princi- 
ples, and  follow,  in  fpight  of  Barclay  and  the  meet- 
ing, the  powerful  didates  of  nature  incentive  to 
felf-defence.  And  did  the  valour  of  our  warrior 
carry  him  an  inch  farther  ?  Did  he  purfue  an  ene- 
^%  who  by  flying,  with  the  lofs  of  abont  30  men, 

exhibited 


■fr^ 


Is  with- 
eneral ; 
i  fecrc- 
,  is  ex- 

gyrical 
:  jubeo 
fcribed 
ic  colo- 
[  a  raw 
I  Marl. 

o. 

porting 
I  think 
to  raifc 
lich  he 
qucred 
fccms, 

^uercd. 

camp, 
princi- 

meet- 
tive  to 
wrarric^r 
in  ene- 
omcn, 
iibited 


-,      (   87   ) 

exhibited  a  full  proof  of  a  mod  extraordinary  pufi-  1 7  5  S ' 
lanimity  ?  Or,  if  his  wound  (which,  confidering  it  '  "*  "^ 
was  made  by  a  ball  vifiblc  in  irs  flight  to  his  aid-* 
de-Camp,  muft  have  been  very  capacious)  rendered 
his  pcrfonal  purfuit  impraiflicablc ;  were  any  or- 
ders given  to  improve  the  fortune  of  the  day,  and 
deftroy  a  fugitive  army  ?  Was  not,  on  the  contrary, 
the  noble  ardor  of  thofe  who  offered  to  purfue,  by 
pofitive  orders  reprelTcd  ;  and  a  poltroon  advcrfary 
fuffered  to  efcape,  whofe  recent  cowardice  promif- 
ed  a  general  flaughtcr,  and  who,  in  their  prefent 
panic,  had  fallen  a  facrifice  to  our  vidorious  arms? 

These  are  fafls  of  inconteftible  notoriety:  and    Why  this 
if  your  Lordfhip  demands,  whence  then  the  ac-  greatly  ex- 
counts  that  fix  or  eight  hundered,  nay  a  thouf-ind,  aijgeratcd 
fell  before  the  camp  (when,  in  reality,  the  enemy 
loft  not  above  two  hundered  in  all  the  three  en- 
gagements, which  is  lefs  than  our  own  lofs)  there 
is  no  other  way  of  accounting  for  thef^  g^^ring  mif- 
rcprefenrations,  than  that  it  luited  our  prefent  fyf- 
tem  of  politics  to  have  this  adion  exaggerated  and 
magnified.     It  was  nccclTary  to  exalt  Johnfon,  in 
order  to  depreis  Shirley,  and  they  who  had  rcpre- 
fented  the  expedition  againft  Crown  Point  of  fuch 
prodigious   importance,  thought  it  advifeable   to 
render  every  thing  important  that  was  tranfaded  iri 
that  expedition.     Every  man  among  us  knew  it  to 

pe 


.,,1 


fi' 


(■'. 


( 


/ 


(     88     ) 

1755*  ^^  ^"  impofition  •,  and  yet  ran  the  rifk  of  having hts 
^— ^r-H  head  broke  for  offering  todoubt  it.  It  was  notorious, 
not  above  30  of  the  enemy  were  found  flain  at  the 
camp  'y  and  that  the  reft  of  the  dead  could  neither  fly 
into  the  air,  nor  dive  into  the  earth.  Where  then  was 
the  remainder?  To  anticipate  the  qucftion,  left 
any  oncfliould  have  effrontery  enough  to  ftart  it — 
they  were  carried  off  by  a  flying  enemy,  who  took 
to  their  heels  to  fave  their  own  lives  ;  and  yet  were 
fo  anxious  about  their  dead,  as  to  carry  them  all 
along.  Such  manifeft"  contradidions  are  we  oblig- 
ed to  believe !  '  ,  : 

Nay,  to  excufe  this  favourite  general,  the  blame 
of  not  following  his  advantage,  has  been  thrown 
on  Mr.  Shirley,  and  attributed  to  his  pofitive  di- 
Shirley  ab-    ^ecflions.     Belides  the  abfurdity  of  the  accufation, 

iurdly  cen-  •  ' 


lly 
fured. 


that  he  could  be  acceffary  to  an  omiffion  of  this 
nature,  it  was  abfolutely  impoffible  for  him  to  know 
whether  the  enemy  would  at  all  rifk  an  attack. 
Your  Lordfhip  will  confider,  the  general  was  then 
at  leaft  ^65  miles  from  the  place  of  action,  nor  ad-* 
vifed  of  it  till  nine  days  after  it  happened.  But 
when  he  received  the  intelligence,  fo  far  from  di- 
re(5ling  to  the  inactivity  of  a  merely  dcfcnfive  con- 
duifl,  that  he  difpatched  repeated  expreffcs  to  Mr* 
Johnfon,,  urging  him  in  the  mofl  preffing  terms, 
to   purfue  the  advantage  already  obtained  i  and  if 

unable 


/ 
nghts 

prions, 

at  the 

icr  fly 

:n  was 

n,  left 

rt  it — 

o  took 

t  were 

em  all 

oblig- 

* '    *     > 

blame 
;hrown 
ive  di- 

fation, 
of  this 
)know 
attack. 
IS  then 
lor  ad-' 
.  But 
m  di- 
X  con- 
to  Mr* 
terms, 

and  if 
unable 


.  (    89  ;  ] 

unable  to  .proceed  in  perfqni.  jc6  conlmit  the  charge     175  5* 
Ot  the  troops  to-MaforGcn.  j-^yman  :   6^,   if  he    * "^ ' 

found  it  impkifliCabTe  to  l?ivcft  Crown  Point  that 
feafon,  it  l^aft  to  make  hiii^felf  madcr,  it  pofiible, 
of  the  <incmy*s  advanced  poft  at  Tinonderoge. — 
But  all  was  inciredual :  the  laOrcl  being  alr^^rdy  a'c- 
t|ui"rtdy.  Jtorutnewas  not  again  to  be  put  to  a  dcf-  -  .  :  y 

pirate  venture.  «'•* -i         iiu.      i    »    ..:;>i!4.i    . 

We  will  ftow,'  if  your  Lordfhlp'  pleafcs/  return    i 
t6  Ofwego,  where  General  Shirley,  arrived  the  2  rft 
of  Auguft,  and  take  a  view  of  tlie  courlc  of  his    .        .  li- 
|)roceeding''?  inuftcit  quairter:    ' :.  ^*    '  .  j:::jf  ?''••..? 

'  Y^VR  LoRldsHiP  n?'ay  remember,  that  the  troopti  Courfe  of 
marched  .from   Schenedad/,    wiibli  fcarce  hail h  the      f.^  '"""^ 

^  at  Ulvvcgo. 

number  of  battoemen,'  which-  cbntraftedfbr  the 
fervicc  ;.  ahd.thcfe  by  frequent  defections  gradual- 
ly decreafed.:  jElencc  the  t'raj^fporcjtion  of  pnoyifi- 
ohs,.thro*  this  loogtradl  ot  eOu'ntry,  was  fp  rr.uch 
impeded,  that  linjEJj':  tlie  latter  cAd  pf  Septt/mber 
it  wa^impoflTible-alup^n  thai  account, 'to  move.irom 

The  general  Jiqv^eV-ervhad^  in  the  msarj^  timc^ 
madfe  all  jthe  nect^flTary  prep'arations  for  the  exptd)..- 
tion  to  Niagara :  and  as  the  arriv.il  of  a  large  co,n- 
vOy  with  prpvifions  was  then  hourly  expected,,  he  a  council  of 
held  a  council  of  war  ai;;.  his  camp  on  the  iScUof  ^^^'  ^^'^ 
September-,  at  >vhich  were  prefcnt,r*        ;  ,  ";  : 

M  Hi3 


It 


I 
.f 


1:1 


•i^i! 


ft* 


(  90  ) 


»  ■  ■  l^'   ■  ■  ■!* 


His  Excellency  the  Geniral: 
Lieut.  Col.  EUifon,      Major  Bradftreet,  Adj.  Gen. 

Capt.  Bradford, 
C»pt.  Broadley,  Com.  of  the 
veflels  on  the  Lake* 


The  general 
Tepre<?nu 
the  (lace  of 


Lieut.  Col.  Mercer, 

Col.  Schuyler, 

Capt.  Patten, 

Major  Littlchales,  ;  ■      ,• 

The  general  informed  this  council,  that  thro' 
the  great  dcfcrtion  (»f  battoemen,  the  fcarcity  of 
affairs,  and    waggons  on  the  Mohawk  River,  and  the  deicrtion 
KolTncTof  ^  of  (ledgcmen  at  the  Great  Carrying-Place,  the  con- 
Jji3  intellU    veyancc  of  provifions  and  other  ftores  had  been  fo 
jcnces,        lY^uch  retarded,  that  there  had  not  been  at  any  time 
(ince  his  arrival,  a  fufiicient  quantity  of  dry  provi- 
fions to  enable  him  to  go  upon  adlion  :  but  as  a 
large  fupply  would  probably  very  foon  arrive,  he 
was  determined  to  proceed  immediately.  He  thought 
proper  to  inform  them  of  his  intelligence    onccrn- 
ing  the  fituation  and  ftrength  of  the  enemy  —  which 
was  to  this  purpofc  —  That  before  he  left  ^hc  One» 
Ida  Carrying-Place,   two  trudy  Indians,  with  as 
many  Albany  traders,  were  fent  as  fpies  to  Niaga- 
ra-, who,  after  fourteen  days  abfcnce,  returned  with 
an  account  —  That  the  Indians  had  been  two  days 
in  the  French  fort  there,  which  was  built  partly  of 
done,  but  principally  of  logs,  being  in  a  weaka^d 
ruinous  condition  — that  the  garrilbn  confifted 
about  Go  French  and  100  Indians,  who  faid  th  y 

had 


he 


idj.  Gen. 

n.  of  the 
ikc. 

bat  thro* 
arcity  of 
[^eiertion 
the  con- 
been  fo 
iny  time 
y  provi- 
but  as  a 
rive,  he 
thought 
oncern- 
—  which 
he  One- 
with  as 
Niaga- 
led  with 

wo  days 
jartly  of 
'eak  znd 
ifted  : 
lid  th   ' 
had 


(      91       ) 

had  for  fomc  time  cxpcv^^ed  900  Indians  and  a  quan- 
tity of  (lores  from  Canada  i  but  were  apprchenfivc 
their  veflcls  were  taken  —  That  letters  came  in  fre- 
quently from  Fort  Du  Quefne,  whence  alfo  they 
cxpcfled  a  confiderablereinforccmcnt.  The  fpics  ad- 
ded, that  the  Indians  were  difgufted  at  the  divifion 
I  of  the  fpoils,  on  the  defeat  of  General  Braddock,  and, 
that  the  French  had  loft  30  men  in  that  engage- 
ment —  that  they  faw  many  EngliQi  fcalps,  with 
a  large  quantity  of  cloaths  and  furniture —  that  the 
French  had  there  70  or  80  large  battocs,  with  which 
they  intendt^d  to  meet  and  board  our  Ycflels.  and 
this  article  was  confirmed  by  another  Indian,  who 
fet  out  after  the  fpics,  and  meeting  one  of  our  row- 
gallies,  cautioned  the  commander  againft  a  nearer 
approach  to  Niagara. 

His  Excellency  alfo  informed  the  council,  that 
an  ^ndian  fpy  had  been  with  the  Outawawas,  who 
alTi^-d  the  French  in  the  action  at  Monongahela  — 
that  i.iey  hao  declared  their  inclination  to  lay  down 
the  hatchet  ,  a^d  that  others  more  wefterly  gave 
the  like  intimations  *,  which  had  induced  him  to 
difpjttch  four  meflcngers  with  belts  of  wampum,  to 
invite  them  into  our  alliance,  or  at  leaft  to  engage 
their  neuterality. 

Upon  the  general's  arrival  atOfwego,  he  thought 
it  necelTary  to  procure  intelligence  from  I     ntenac  *, 

and 


1755 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WiiiT  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


§7^     ///// 


c?. 


(  92 


i  7  C 5 .    and  for  that  purpdfef  fb^t  out  a'party  'of  white  men 
'^— V and  Indians,  wha' r^tUrocd  about  the  8ih  of  Sep- 
tember, with  infofrtvaii^n  —  that  they  landedupcn 
an  iflaind,  aboiit  fixfiirrongs  from   the  fort,  from' 
-whence  they'  had  a  full  view  of  it  —  that  it  war.  built 
in  a  bay,  near  the  edge  of  the  water, 'and  furround- 
ed  by  a  ftone  wall ;  the  land  behind  it  cleared,  and 
rifing  in  a  gradual- acclivity  —  thtit  two  veflels  of 
about  40  tons  each',  lay  moofedirt;the  harbour,  tin- 
lif^gedj  and  without  guns  — ^  that  at^the  eaft  end  of- 
die  fort  there  was  a  regular  encampment,  and  lix- 
marquis  tents  ;  fromr  the  extent  of  which  they  Ima- 
(Tined  it  contained*  about  g  or  4O0'mefi.'---Upon 
the  fide  of  the  bay,  oppofite  the  tort,  the  land  prd- 
jeiftc4  about  hdlf  a  mile  i  between  this  and  theifland 
ichey  were  upon  was  another  little  ifland,  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  fort,  inhabited  by  about 
t\y,cnty  Indian^ families*  The  ipies  added,  that  therq 
were  Several  other  adjacent  iflrinds ;  but  they  dif- 
covered  no  battoes.     His  Excellency  farther  ac- 
quainted the  council,  that  an  Indian  who  came  to^ 
Oiwego;  about  the  time  of  his  arrival,  and  had  left 
F/ontenac  nine  days  before,  declared  there  were 
30  French  within  the  fort  •,  a  confiderable  quantity 
of  powder,  and  m?ny  guns  mounted  on  the  fur- 
rounding  wall,  which  was  about  fix  feet  thick ;  and 
the  encampment  without  confided  of  600  foldiers. 

The 


TH 

wa! 
thi 

zw 


hite  iTiffi 
I  of  Sf  p- 

rt,  from 
wur.  built 
ir  round- 
red,  and 
eflels  of 
our,  un- 
ft  end  of ' 
and  lix 
ley  ima- 

'-'-  UpOQ 

and  prd- 

;he.ifland 

)ut  three 

3y  aboil  t 

lat  ther^ 

hey  dif- 

ler  ac- 

came  to 

lad  left 

re  were 

pantity 

the  fur- 

:k ;  and 

bldiers. 

The 


1   ^i    ) 

Th^fiftformatibn  df  Redhead,  to  the  fame  efFeft,    I755» 
was  alfo  laid  bbfore  the  courieil,  with  the  addition-—     '""^^   - 
that  there  were  tWo' encampments,  one  of  Canadi-' 
ans  Arid  the  other  of  rc*^ulaf^,  mi  hollow,  indif-' 
c<yverable  from  the'  iflund  •,  and  that  he  was  told,  • 
by  the  commandanff,  of  a  much  larger  number  of 
troops  '^xpefted  with   the  general,  lately  arrived  * 
itom  France;  when  they  propofed 'to  inveft  Ofwe-^ 
goC  Geh;  Johnlbn's  letter  of  the '  i  ft  of  September, 
Tignifying,  thai  Ws'feouts  informed  him  of  the  -de-  • 
pa)*ture  of  306  canoes ^ 'to  Frdntenac,  was  alfo  con- 
fideted:  and  from  thfefe  articles  of  intelligence  - - 
the-accountof  the  arrival  of  the  French  troops  — 
the  fufpenfion  of -ari  ihtercourfe  between  Fr  on  ten  ac 
and  Niagara  — "^  and  their  lying  ftill  fo  long  at  the 
former ;  his  excelleridy'obfervfcd,  it  was  not  impro- 
bnble  their  defign  rtiight  be  td  make  a  defcent  on 
Ofwego,  if  the  whole  force  proceeded  on  the  expe- 
dition t'o  Niagara,' wliich  was  about  150  miles  to 
the  weflward  ;  and'frorh  whence,  at  that  advanced 
feafon,  they  could  not  return  in  lefs  than  30  days.  ' 
That  this  -was  the  riiof e  probable,  as  Ofwego  wa? 
of  the  greateft  impoft^hce:  for  fecuring  the  frontiers 
of  the  wcftern  colonies,  maintaining  the  Britifh  do' 
minion  over  the  great  lakes,  and  the  country  be^' 
yond  the  Apalachean  mountains,    iie  alfo  took  no- 
tice cf  the  d  jfencelcfs  (late  of  Ofwego,  which  would 

render 


«^ii|« 
i 


:% 

•/'■? 


k 


ii 


(  9+  y 

^  7 5  5*»  J'cndcr  it  ncpcITary  to  leave  a  ftrong  gj^rrifon  there  • 
V-^"""^  that  the  number  pf  effcjftivcs  at  that  time  in  the 
t^hree  regim,^ntg  ^4  independent  companies,  jn* 
eluding  fcrjeants  and  corporal*,  amounted  to  1376; 
and  that  the  irregulars,  who  were  Albany  men  and 
Indians,  procured  by  his  pwn  emiiTaries,  confided 
only  of  1 20.  For  the  better  fecurity  of  the  place, 
the  general  had  ordered  to  be  b\iilt,  wit:h  all  polTible 
difpacch,  a  flrong  wooden  fort,  capable;  of  n:ipunt- 
ing  cannon,  with  picquets  and  a  ditch,  on  a  high 
point,  commanding  the  old  iort  on  the  eatt  fide  of 
the  river.  This  he  obferved  was  alrcJidy  begun, 
and  would  foon  be  compleated  :  and  that  for  the 
propofed  enterprize,  he  had  built  and  equipped  a 
floop  and  fchooner  of  fixty  tons  each,  two  row- gal- 
lics, each  of  twenty  tons,  with  eight  whale-boats, 
each  capable  of  carrying  fixteen  men.  He  then  in- 
fo: med  them  of  his  intention  to  embark  for  Nia- 
gara, as  foon  as  the  expeded  convoy  arrived,  with 
600  regulars,  including  gunners  and  matroiTes,  be- 
fides  the  Albany  and  Indian  irregulars,  one  18 
pounder,  four  12  pounders,  a  ten-inch  mortar,  a 
fcven-Jnch  hoyet,  two  royals,  and  five  fmall  fwi- 
vel-hoycts,  the  veflcls,  whale-boats,  and  a  compe- 
tent number  of  battoes ;  leaving  behind  him  700 
effeftives,  two  1 2  pounders,  ten  6  pounders,  fix 
3  pounders,  and  eight  cohorns. 

The 


If'  r 


there : 

in  the 

ies,  in«- 

en  and 
)nrifled 
;  place, 
pofTible 
iTipunt- 


fide  of 
begun, 
for  the 
pped  a 
)w-  gal- 
boats, 
len  in- 
r  Nia- 
,  with 
cs,  be- 
>ne  18 
rtar,  a 
11  fwi- 
om  pe- 
ll 700 
rs,  fix 

The 


(  95   ) 

The  council,  upon  this  reprefentation,  were  un-   •!  75  5» 


w 


animoufly  of  opinion,  in  anfwer  to  the  fevcral  qucf-  *" 
tions  propored,that  the  force  intended. for  thc'Nia-' 
gara  expedition  was.  fwfficient  *  but  with  refpccl  to 
Olwego,  lome  iniagincd  it  would  not  dcienfible  : 
the  majority,  however,  were  of  contrary  fentiments. 
All  agreed,  that  a  feint  upon  Frontenac,  while  his 
excellency  was  gone  to  Niagara,  was  by  no  means 
advifeable.  They  univerfally  concurred  in  opinion, 
that  a  fort  ought  to  be  erefted  on  the  weft  fide  of 
the  old  fort  •,  and  that  it  would  be  for  his  Majefty's 
fcrvice  to  prepare  materials  for  building  one  or  more 
veflcls,  larger  than  any  of  thofe  already  upoii  the 
lake,  capable  of  mounting  ten  6  pounders,  befides 
fvrivels,  two  more  row-gallies,  and  j  00  good  whale- 
boats,     * 


•^^ta«« 


:).:. 


Iif  GOnfcquence  ot  this  advice,  600  regulars  were  Preparation* 
draughted,  the  artillery  and  ordnancc-ftores  (hipped  to  prccted 

on  the  Nia- 

on  board  the  floop  Ontario,  part  of  the  provifions  ga^j^.^  ^^ji^ 
on  board  the  floop  Ofwego,    and  the  refidue  was  ^^o"* 
ready  for  the  row-gailies,  whale-boats,  and  battoes. 
While  thefe  preparations  were  making,  the  weather* 
was  extremely  wet  and  tempcftuous.  The  rains  be- 
gan to  fall  fo  heavily  on  the  1 8th  of  the  month, 
that  on  the  beft  cholen  ground  the  tents  of  the  fol- 
diers  were  overwhelmed.     As  400  of  the  troops 
muft  have  gone  in  open  battoes,  it  was  impofublc 

to 


■■,^ 


■    I 


ii: 


III 

yi 


m 


.A- 


'755- 


Whichcould 
not  be  pro- 
fee  u  ted  fr  Gift 
the  badnefs 
of  the  wea* 
ther. 


Another 
council  of 
war  held,  in 
which  the 
general  re- 
prefents  the 
unfavoura- 
ble cirdum- 
ilances  of 

affairs. 


{    96    ) 

• 

to  pafs  the  lake:  with  any /afety^  till  the  jftorrrf  a- 
batcd  J , whibh  wason  the  26th  of  the  unontbpwlien 
orders  Were  immediately  iflued  for  the  imbarkaiiori' 
of  the  troQjjg ;  but  therctould  not  be  carried  intoj 
execution/.  Tho*  the*  rains. ccafed  for  a  fhqrr  fpaittf 
of  time,. the  y;»0ftern  winds  began*  to  blow"  with. re* 
doubled  fupy  j  and  Were,  again  fiicceedcd;by',  cortti'i 
nual  rains  for  thirteei)  day^  together.  .  During*  this. 
boi{lerouS;Weather,  r^urnbprsfell  fick^w.hOfe  tents 
were  an  infufficient  fjielter;'  amd  the  Indians,,  welt 
acquainted  with  the;  climaJ:e,-:/wertt  off,-  dcclariogt 
the  feafon;  too  f^radyaoeed^toiftdmit.of  an  expcdi^: 
tion  upon  the  lafee;  ..' ,   ;.  (.5:  n     )  •.      .r;  ,:\^.'^\ 
■  In  the  mi'^ftof  thefe  di^viltjes  Another  ccmt;^\U\ 
coflfifting  of  the  fame  rn.e0)ber?cwho  comppfed,  the 
laft,  was  called  on  the  27th  of  September.  The,gc^ 
neraL acquainted. them  with  the  untowarjd  ftatcipf 
affairs,  and  fome  of  his  latefl  advices.  He  -obferviftdL 
as  follows  -—That  the  preceding  day,'eig;ht:batt6e$ 
were  arrived^  with  48  barrels,  of  flooir^v  ind  13   of 
bread  •,  fo  that  there  was  then  14  days  full  allowance 
of  thofe  fpecics    of  provifions   for   2000,     bfeing. 
the  number  then  in  his  camp  —  That  he  thought  it 
neceflary  to  take  with  him  2i,opiOvWeight  of  bread 
and  flour,  which  for  700  men,  forty  days,  amount- 
ed only  to  three-fourths  of  the  ufual  allowance  — 
that,  in  fuch  cafe,  there  would  be  left   with  the 

garrifon 


•'an 


{{    97.    )) 


brpwiien 

rkatioti* 
cd  into; 
rt  fpaiiid 
fkh.re- 

r>g*  this, 
fc  tents 
lis,-,  well: 
cclariog^ 
<*xpe<di^: 

< .. .  i ; . "  V 

pled  tJie 
rhe.  ge^ 
ftatc.ipf 

battbes 

P  J3  o^ 
owahce 

bfeiiiig. 

)uglit  it 

f  bread 

nfiount- 

3ncc  — 

ith  the 

carrifon 


«. — . 


■V— 


f»:arrif(in  oply  So'^o  wei-tht  of  br:adand  fiOur,  at  I  75  5 
halt-  allovvance  f'^x  op'y  1 2  ci.;y^ :  but,  by  advices  , 
received  tr>m  tl-.e  Ca-ry  n;:  Hlire  n;ul  ?vl  »h.uv!c 
River,  lie  had  the  crcu^  ll  reaf)!!  to  t-xpcct  fiich  a 
quantity  of  provi!l')i'i%  \\\  n  few  da ,  %  a^  vvoal  1  be 
a  full  iii;;ply  fW  l-i.ne  'I'i  )vi:hv— ci;  i:  a  party  of 
men,  with  two  odker-,  in  whale-boai;^,  fentilvcn 
days  before  to  Fronict^ac  to  diicc^Vfr  the  cr.eniy's 
motions,  were  reHirn'e '.^  with  the  following  rep'>rc 

—  That  they  went  into  tHL*  harbour,  aid  lav/  ths 
fort,  v/l.ich  appeared  t(r  be  a  ri^o-ular  fquare  faced 
with  Hone,  havin-^  four  embrdiures  in  tlie  front— - 
that  the  erican^p;-p..enr  confi^icd  of  above  lOO  tents 

—  that  two  bri<Tar.tincs  of  aboqt  40  tfuis  ep.rh,  vrid 
a  fmail  fl'^op  \)>V'j,  i'mt.  a:  ancho;',  wea'  riu^ecd,. 
and  the  f.uls  of  one  of  r!ic;ro  br'^-  :  ^^-^^^  a'^unfiHr  of 
barroes  lay  near  t.!\c  wix'As  tsf  the  tovt..  I  Ic  comuin- 
nicated  to  theT>  a>i"'\  a  cooy  f'^  tli:?  orcitrs  and  in* 
llrudions  given  to  tKe. trtnch  rt^ruji-!.ri>  lent  thirht-r; 
which  wf^rc  liikc*"*.  trorn  b.iioo  1  it;];-;!!,  in  rhe  ac- 
tion at  L.akc  (jcA  rcTt'> :   wiit-nce  it  appeared,  th.itte^i, 

<  *  ^  •  

comj^anies  of  rhc-.Quecn's  bat^aliaa  {^arched  trup.i 
Monrrtal  o  C;K;ar;if]ui,  ir.  twr^  d>vi:!Ori^,  upon  ''ie, 
firii:  and  fecond  c  F  Au,.iu1c,  rc^^'Cihcr  with  250  Ca- 
nadian.!, excliiiive  of  In*.iian.s :  the  nun- ber  of  .-pcrn 
therefore  at  Fr^ntenac,  inclndinn;  the  g.'^.rrifon, 
might  aniouiu  to  1000  effective,'?,  orioiiudly  dctign- 

N  \d, 


>i; 


r 


t. 


f.    98     ) 

1 7  C  <5.    ed,  as  appearedfrom  thofc  papers,  for  an  attack  up^ 
* V on  Ofwego.     He  farther  took  notice  of  the  depar- 
ture of  fome  of  our  Indians,  and  their  unanimous 
opinion,   th?.t  the  attempt  againft  Niagara  could 
not  luccecd  this  fcafon  :  on  which  account  the  re- 
mainder were  refolvrd  to  return  to  their  refpedivc 
caflles-,  giving  neverthclefs  the  higheft  afliirances 
of  their  vvillingnefs  to  join  us  in  much  greater  num- 
bers the  enfuing  fpring  •,  —  that  the  Albany  tradtrs 
were  ci  the  lame  opinion,  that  the  battoes,  tho*  well 
adapted  for  the  navagation  of  fmall  rivers,  could 
not  live  on  the  lake  in  fuch  tempefluous  weather  as 
had  continued  for  a  fortnight  pall— that  Lieut* 
Holland,  who  had  refided  there  above  three  years, 
declared  it  was  commonly  windy  and  wet,  with  few 
fair  days   intervening,  during  the  fall.  —  That  it 
was  befides  now  impra(5licab!e  for  the  vefTcls  and 
battoes  to  fail  in  concert:  and  as  the  veflels  and 
whale-boats  would  not  contain  all   the  fupplies, 
there  was  the  utmoft  danger  of  fpoiling  that  part 
of  the  proviQons  and  ammunition,  which  muft  be 
conveyed  in  the  battoes ;  in  confequence  of  which 
many  of  them  might  be  cut  off;  it  being  more  than 
probable,  from  the  weaknefs  of  their  fort,  the  ene- 
my would  attack  them  on  the  lake  —  that  from  the 
returns  of  the  diretflor  and  furgeons  of  the  hofpital," 
the  number  of  the  fick  amounted  to  about  300,  ex- 

clufive 


tack  up*" 
i  dcpar- 
inimous 
I  could 
the  rc- 
fpcdivc 
fiiranccs 
cr  num- 
y  traders 
ho*  well 
J,  could 
:ather  as 
c  Lieut. 
:c  years, 
with  few 
•  That  It 
Tcls  and 
rds  and 
upplies, 
lat  part 
muft  be 
)f  which 
ore  than 
theene- 
from  the 
hofpital,' 
300,  ex- 
clufive 


(   99    ) 

clufive  of  officers  -,  which  they  Imputed  to  the  ex-    I  755. 

ceffive  rains,  and  want  of  barracks.  His  excellency  ' ^^ — ' 

informed  them,  he  propofed  the  ere(5lion  of  bar- 
racks, and  a  (Irong  redoubt  on  the  hill,  weft  of  the 
old  fort,  before  the  winter  was  too  far  advanced. 

These  matters,  my  Lord,  were  attentively  con-  Their  oni- 

fidered :  and  the  council  of  war  prayed  leave  to  add  advicr  to  l.'.y 

to  the  general's  reprefentation  — -  That  Major  Brad-  "^'^1"  ^^^  ^^' 

peditlon, 

ftreet,  fincc  his  refidence  there,  was  perfuaded  1650  ar.drtrcngrli- 
Canadians  had  paffed  by  from  Cadaraqui  to  Niaga-  ^"  *^^^'^' 
ra,  for  the  Ohio  \  a  great  part  of  whom,  thro'  fear- 
city  of  proviQons,  he  conceived  mud  then  be  up- 
on their  return  to  Canada  •,  and  that  a  confiderable 
number  of  French  traders  go  annually  from  Cana- 
da to  Detroit,  and  other  French  fettlements  to  the 
weftward,  who,  at  this  feafon,  are  generally  upon 
their  return  :  -—  that  their  paflage  home  is  by  the 
way  of  Niagara,  where,  it  is  very  probable,  they 
and  all  the  French  v/ill  tarry,  as  long  as  their  pro- 
vifions  admit,  for  the  defence  of  fo  important  a 
poll.  That  there  were  then  but  few  proper  bat- 
toe- men  nt  Ofwcgo  :  nor  could  they  be  provided 
with  a  fufficient  number,  as  thofe  who  underftood 
the  management  of  battoes  were  chiefiy  employed 
in  the  tranfportation  of  provlfions  from  Schenc(fla- 
dy  to  Ofwego,  and  from  Albany  to  I^ake  George  •, 
and  that  the  foldiers  were  unable  to  condu(5l  tliem 

to 


Vl 


1 1'. 


■"in 


Jl:l 


1 


.<  ■:  I 


-^-— 


(        lOO       j 

1  '^  C  15.    to  Niagara,  the  hV'*  being  tiirbulant  generally  hvv 

days  in  fix.         "  •  *'         >'.••' 

The  advice  of  the  council,  my  Lord,  was  una- 
niniou  ly  10  tdi.-)  i-ITctft -— Tl'.at  the  arrival  of  rlie 
butocs  with  provifi-ins,  tho*  h>)ur!y  rXiT.'H'd,  wis 
by  no  n:ear..s  .to  be  dt'[c-'fu.i'd  unon,  t!  ere  bcii^g 
lc.ilpinfr-particii**in  t!ie  rcij^hb  )urhood  \  o\ni  of 
wliich,  fincc  tlic'lail  couucil  ot  war,  had  aclu  dly 
killc'd  tl;rW', 'apd  cptivaa-'d  t\x^o  ot  the  ivorkri  en 
employed  in  buiLliiiij;  the  ru.w  fort  on  the  eaft  iAc 
c\  t!u-  nvcr :  and  the  cutting  ^if  the  batioes  was  the 
riore  to  be  nf^prelamdeJ,  iis  tH?  liuiians  in  cur  il-' 
iiancc  were  now  retornijVr  to  tiicir  oallLrs.  Nor  did 
they  i!.  Ilk  ir.advileable.to  ril'k  'he  troops  in  battoes 
iipun  the  lake,  at  lb  ndvanctd  a  leafon  ot  the  year, 
ihev  aoproved  iiis  excellencv's  i'UcnL-ion  of  raifinir 
barracks  for  i!ie  ioldiers  vvJihoiit  delavi  -a^Ki  Vhour^ht 
the"  fcrt  on  the  eafl  fee  (>f  the  Onondaga  River 
ou^ht  to  bo  conH>!c:'.ted  as  foon  as  poffible  •,  and  a- 
gain  advifcd  the  ercftion  of  a  work  toir  inounring 
cannon  on  the  c(r-inencc  welt  of  the  old  fort  —  all 
who'll,  in  their  opinion,  couklnot  be  ciTcded  be- 
fore t'-e  v/intcr  was  too  far  fet  in,  without  emp'oy- 
ir.g  the  v^hole  flren<;th  th.en  at  the  place-.  They 
were  alio  unanimouOy  and  clearly  of  opinion,  that 
his  excellency  ought  to  defer  any  auenii^t  on  Nia- 
gara or  Froiitenac,  till  :he  nexc  fnrii'g  ^  when  they 

had 


ally  Hvv 

'as  una- 
of  the 
L^ii,  Wis 
e  being 
one  of 
aclutlly 

•ad   U\c 
w'iis  the 
I  our  d- 
>J()r  dki 
1  battoes 
he  year, 
f  r.ufins" 
houfj-ht 
A  River 
and  a- 
OLinLiine; 
rt  —  all 
:ed  bi*- 
■mploy- 
They 
n,  that 
on  Nia- 
cn  they 
had 


\  (.       lOI        ) 

tad  f:rc%r  reiif  :i  to  t-xni'rt  thr  junL^ion  of  a  !--*^e    1755- 


» 1  it 


body  of  the  ?!>r  Nariuns,  and  fome  of  the  Fiench 
allies,  wlio  \vAiu  t.^eaiip: the  hatchet  againlt  the 
Eiirrlifh,  and  w( fc  cnnceri.td  on  tlie  banks  of  the 
M  )  »  >ii;,a'vli.  2en..lCi,  h-  -.*  r'r,  in  the.euluin;^ 
tampaiun,  tavc  ;  grewer  r.\  ruber  ol  .i-..ops,  wha  e- 
br,r.t.s  inittad  .  r  t\ut')rs,  r:iu  ;:  n.c)-c  powcriul  naval 
f  )ree,  wi  ieli  ih(  y  to:-se.ved  ^.ujhL  to  bt^  p'ovKtcd 
a-diniL  il.r    t«xtli!.ig.  ,   '      '•  I'*       '■'' 

'I'tiii  aJv  cc,   ai)    L.irJ,  tlie  'v  neral  proceeded    "  ^'''"  ^''*' 

•  c  in  led    into 

im  ncdi.itciy  tj-carry  in.'j  execu:::.ii     worupleating  exvcuiicn. 
the  ijrt  cjii  ihe  ea  I  v  k  ^J^   ^'»<^.  liver,  was  a  nv.ttLr 
ol  pri'.ei'ni  auen:iv>n,  Dccau.ie  iituated  oii  a  hi^h 
point  oH-iinl,  :u  loo  ya/ds  diftvi,:jce  fro»n  the  lak(% 
c  )!n  nandr.icT  the*  iiriou  d  round  about  it--- the  old 

firt  at  450  yards  ei.Ranee--- and  ti.e  entrance  of 
t'le  harbour.  '  Irs  eiieunjie  ence  was  |".oo  fier,   be- 

i  'j;  built  of 'l')o;s  ifon)  20  to  ?o  inches  diameter,  and 
the  outer  wall  J4  feet  high.  Jlound  it  was  to  be  a 
ditch  14  fret  broad  and  10  deep.  Within,  a  tquare 
log-houfe  to  overlook  tijc  walls,  and  barracks  for 
?oo n^en.  -—  This  f  jit,  c.ul'«.\i Ontario,  was  to  mount 
16  pieces  of  cannjn.  Another,  called  OlV/ego,  was 
imniediatciy  be;_^un,  upun  an  endnence  450  yards 
wed  of  the  old  fort.  It  was  a  fn-jare  of  170  ^(^cz^ 
v/iih  bafbons,  and  a  rampart  of  eartli  and  nafonryi 
which,  befi'ies  the  pirapec,  was  to  be  20  tcer  thick, 
12  in  heigh:,  ;vkh  a  diieh  14  Icct  broad  and   10 

deep 


t.v\ 


fj 


1 


f 


li'  l"? 


(       J02      ) 

17S5»    ^^^P'     The  barracks  within  were  to  contain  200 

*^ — ^ — ^  men.  This  was  to  mount  eight  pieces  of  cannon  ; 

being  made  the  more  defenftble,  as  it  commanded 

a  good  landing,  diftant  150  yards  on  the  edge  from 

the  lake»         \ 

ThcgcnerJ       WniLE  thcfc  works  were  carrying  on,  the  gene- 

eilablifh  the  r^l  employed  himlelt  m  a  nccellary  nttcntion  to  In- 

Indi-in-iin      ^jjj^^  affairs.     He  laboured  to  cilabhlh  fomc  of  the 
tur  lotereA.       •      .      ,  1      •  i- 

principal  Onondagas,  who  were  thro  negligence 
become  wavering  ;  and  difpjtchcd  mefTagcs  to  thofc 
who  were  gone  from  us,  and  fettled  at  Ofwegatie, 
and  to  the  melfafagucs  and  Chippawcca  on  the 
north  fide  of  the  Lake  Ontario.  Others  were  fent 
to  foment  the  diflafTedion  of  the  Outawawas,  dif- 
gufted  at  the  French  partition  of  the  plunder,  on 
Braddock's  defeat.  With  the  Senccas,  the  rcmoteft 
from  our  fettlements  of  all  the  five  cantons,  and 
therefore  the  inoft  debauched  by  the  French,  he 
fuccecded  fo  well,  that  they  now  difmificd  Joncaire, 
one  of  their  emifiaries,  whofe  father  had  been  loner 
I'ufFered  to  refidc  among  them,  in  fpite  of  our  re- 
peated remonftrances;  and  was  the  chief  preferver 
of  the  fort  at  Niagara.  They  alfo  engaged  to  meet 
him,  the  next  campaign,  with  100  of  their  warriors, 
and  promifed  for  the  future  to  refufe  the  alfiftancc 
they  had  formerly  given  the  French,  in  tranfport- 
ing  their  furrs,  with  horfes  and  flcds,  acrofs  the  Ni- 
agara 


:ain  200 
;annon  -, 
mandcd 
ge  from 

'»e  gcne- 
,n  to  In- 
c  of  the 
jligcnce 
to  thofc 
vvfgatic, 
on  the 
ere  fcnt 
iras,  dif- 
idcr,  or; 
rcmotcft 
)ns,  and 
nch,   he 
oncaire, 
en  long 
onr  re- 
)refcrver 
to  meet 
varriors, 
ifTiftancc 
anfport- 
>  the  Ni- 
agara 


(     »o3    ) 

agara Carrying-Place  —  as  neceflary  there,  as  af  any    i  y  ^  c, 

of  our  portages  between  Scheneftady  and  Ofwego.  * y^-— ^ 

When  nothing  further  could  be  profecuted,  the  ge-  And  returw 
neral  retired  from  Olwcgo  the  24th  of  Odober,  ^°        "^^^ 
leaving  700  men  in  garrifon,  under  the  command 
of  Lieut.  Col.  Mercer  j  with  orders  to  continue  the 
works  projecfled  for  its  defence. 

Having,  my  Lord,  taken  up  too  much  of  your 
time  in  a  circumftantial  relation  of  the  proceedings 
in  this  quarter,  I  fhall  not  trouble  you  with  any  re- 
fleflions  upon  them.     Your  Lordlhip  lias  feen  the 
infurmountable  difficulties  attending  this  weftern 
expedition  i  and  will    doubtlefs  approve  our  not  ha- 
zarding the  lofs  of  Ofwego.  That  fucr*  -.vouldhavc  French  de- 
been  the  event,  had  Mr.  Shirley  left  the  place  about  q^  ofwego, 
the  beginning  of  Oflober,  was  wifely  forcfeen, from  had  the  gc- 
the  advices  he  had  received :  and  baron  Dielkau,  ^g^j^j  ^^ 
juft  after  the  a(^ion  at  Lake  George,  aflured  a  gen-  Niagara, 
tleman  of  diftindion  in  the  army,  he  queftioncdnot 
the  Englifh  general  would  make  himfelf  mafler  ot' 
Niagara  -,  but  that  the  French  had  half  the  forces 
he  brought  with  him  from  Breft,  with  a  number  of 
Canadians  and  Indian«,at  Frontenac,  ready,  imme- 
diately on  his  departure,  to  invefl  Ofwego,  and  cue 
off  his  retreat. 

Sir  Charleii 

While  the  general  was  at  Albany,  after  his  re-  Hardv  cali« 
turn-  from  ih$  lake,  forwarding  th€  fuppUes  for  the  j"  ^  "j/j"^* 

garrifon  alttm. 


<.i 


I     1  M 


\  . 


w 


I  '1    I 


!•■*   ■' 


4. 


t'i;  . 

■I  ■• ; 

.1 


^.7-5  5' 


(     ( 


.-i    t. 


>    V. 


C.     '°4     ) 

^arrifon  at  Ofvye go  •,  frf  paring  for  the  cpf  rntioni 
of  the  next  cannpaign,  and  examining  intn  ihe  ftate 
of  the  troops  arrfved  there  under  Col  l^unbar  -,  the 
city  Vv-as  ahirr  ed  by  exprcfics  from  (Jrreral  John- 
fon,-  iniormlnrr.  thit  8  or  90  o  <.f  the  t^ncmy  were 
advancing  iow;»rds'h:ni.  S  r  Charles  Hardv,  then 
at  Albany,  called  in  the  niilitia:  and  a  dc  iachment 
of  thr  regular  troops,,  vrr'i  n  rra'n  of  aiti  Itrry,  held 
themfelves  i'"*  re .cl'uitfs  to  m-Kch  at  a  moineni's 
vvitning.  Eu:  an  .thcr  exprefs  gave  reafon  to  be- 
lieve thofe  api  rcKcnHons  we'-c  ill  grounded,  and 
General  lohnfcn's  fea^s  in  fome  meafure  abaJ'ed* 
It  feen.s  a  few  Indian  fcoius  had  difcovered  the 
tracks-  cf  a  large  army,  but  Capt.  Rogers,  the 
brave  officer  before  mentioned,  came  into  the  camp 
foon  after  them,  and  declared,  the  enemy  were  em- 
ployed, as  the  general  had  predicted  in  his  letter 
to  Mr.  Johnfon  of  the  igth  of  September,  in  throw- 
ing up  works  at  Tinondcroge.  Upon  which,  the 
militia  were  dlfmifled  to  their  refpedive  habkaiions. 
Of  the  malignity  of  the  New  Yo'  k  faction  againil 
the  general,  I  have  already  acquainted  your  Lcrd- 
fliip  :  permit  me  to  prefent  you  with  another  in- 
flancc  of  the  fame  fpirit.  .  A  mercenary  fcribler,  of 
whom  I  (hall  foon  take  more  particular  notice,  is 
pleafed  to  inform  the  public,-  that  ''Col.  Dunbar 
*'  with  his  forces,  w«jre  obligcid  fix  weeks  to  lie  en- 
.p.  -Cui^ped 


(( 


!»prar  ion's 
ihf  ftatc 
bar  i  the 
al  John- 
ny were 
dv,  then 
achment 
TV,  held 
lomeni's 
n  to  be- 
led,  and 
aba»'ed* 

-(■••■ 

sred  the 
;ers,  the 
he  camp 
vere  em- 
vis  letter 
n  throw- 
lich,  the 
>kafion3. 
1  agaii]Il 
.ir  Lcrd- 
>ther  in- 
ibler,  oi 
otice,  is 

Dunbar 
:o  lie  en- 

<wn:ped 


■r\.  -I 


(    105   ) 

^  camped  at  Albany,  in  the  rain  and  fnow,  till  bar- 
**  racks  'verc  built  for  them.  That  they  were  entire- 
"  ly  obliged  to  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  that  they  got  a 
"  ftick  of  wood  to  burn.  So  (fays  he)  were  our 
"  forces  difpofed  of."  ♦-..-v-.  ,       :i .     iV  — , 

Albany,  my  Lord,  is  an  old  compacSt  city,  con- 
Ming  of  3  or  400  well-built  houfcs  :  and  at  about 
16  miles  N.  W.  from  ir,  is  the  town  of  Schprei^a* 
dy^  confifting  of  about  150  houfcs.  The  inhabitants 
are  far  from  being  indigent :  the  adjacent  country 
abounds  with  provifions  -,  and  in  fuch  quarters,  your 
Lordrtiip  is  fenfible,  his  Majef!y*s  troops  wiU  not 
want  neceflarics ;  efpecidly /a^/,  in  a  country  cover- 
ed with  timber.  Where  then  rhe  probability,  that 
the  forces,  whicfi  Confifted  of  1200,  would  fufFerin 
a  poft  like  this?  A.s  to  the  affair  of  barracks,  my 
Lord,  there  was  a  council  he'd  ait  New  York,  on 
the  firr^  of  Auguft,  when  the  news  arrived  of  Col. 
Dunbar's  retiring  into  winter-quarters,  after  Brad- 
dock's  defeat.  It  was  compofed  of  Mr.  De  Lancey 
the  Lieut.  Governor,  Meff.  Alexander,  Kennedy, 
Murray,  Holland,  Chambers,  and  Smith ;  and  the 
opinion  of  that  board  then  was,  "  That  not  only 
•'  the  King's  forces  to  the  fouchward,  but  alfothofe 
*'  that  could  be  fpared  from  Nova  ii^jotia,  fhould 
''  quarter  riear  Albany,  for  any  future  operations." 
This  refolv«  Mr,  De  Lancey  tranfmitted  to  the  gc- 

■*  O.  neral 


1755" 


^4 


•'H' 


w 


;■  I 

"I.  -'it''' 
■■    I: 


,■''*. 


(     io6     ) 

1 7  r  r .  ncral  at  Ofwcgo  ;  and  as  Dunbar's  troops  were  or- 
<  ^  dcred  to  Albany,  for  the  defence  of  that  country, 
and  particularly  to  make  a  ftand,  in  cafe  the  pro- 
vincials were  defeated  ;  they  had,  mcthinks,  the 
higheft  reafpn  to  expc(fl  favour  from  the  inhabitants, 
and  the  fpecial  countenance  of  the  government,  e- 
ven  had  they  been  quartered  upon  them  >as  ufual: 
and  which  at  prcfent  is  adlually  the  cafe,  by  exprcfs 
orders  of  my  Lord  Loudon.  The  general,  I  fay, 
had  no  reafon  to  expedl,  upon  this  head,  any  op- 
pofition  from  the  civil  magiftratc.  But  Sir  Charles 
Hardy,  on  his  arrival  at  Albany,  about  the  26th  of 
September,  fignified  to  him  by  letter,  his  appre- 
henfions  of  uneafinefs  arifmg  among  the  inhabitants, 
Ihould  the  foldiers  be  quartered  upon  private  fami- 
lies  •,  and  wifhed  to  have  his  excellency's  orders  for 
building  barracks,iboth  there  and  at  Schenedlady ; 
lead  his  aflembly  Ihould  not  chufe  to  put  the  pro- 
vince to  that  charge.  He  alfo  exprefied  his  hopes, 
if  fuch  an  expence  was  faved  them,  of  their  greater 
readinefs  to  raife  more  men,  fliould  the  fervice  re- 
quire it,  the  next  campaign.  The  general's  anfwcr 
to  this  letter  equally  demonftrated  his"  integrity  to 
the  crown,  and  concern  for  the  troops.  He  inti- 
mated his  fears,  that  the  conftrudion  of  barracks 
•  would  bs  thought  an  extraordinary  expence;  but 

it  being  neceflary  for   the  fervice,  that  Dunbar's, 


I:    . 


,.if 


were  or- 

conntry, 
the  pro- 
iks,  the 
abitancs, 
nent,  c- 
is  ufual: 
'  exprcfs 
,1,  I  fay, 
any  op- 
Charles 
26th  of 
s  appre- 
ibltants, 
to  fami- 
rdcrs  for 
leftady ; 
the  pro- 
s  hopes, 
r  greater 
rvice  re- 
s  anfwcr 
grity  to 
rie  inti- 
)arracks 
ce;  but 
un  bar's, 


i    '07   ) 

and  the  regiment  of  the  late  Sir  Peter  Halket, 
Ihould  winter  in  Albany  and  Schenectady,  he  conv 
plied  with  Sir  Charles's  rcquell  •,  and  defired  hioi 
to  provide  barracks  for  thofe  regiments  with  all 
poffible  dilligencc,  that  the  troops,  on  their  arrival 
in  his  government,  might  not  find  themfelves  def- 
titute  of  quarters.  To  relieve  the  crown  in  the  ex- 
peiice,  he  farther  took  notice  to  Sir  Charles,  of  tlie 
requeft  made  by  his  own  govftiment  for  drawing 
thefe  troops  to  Albany  —  that  they  would  in  a  fpc- 
cial  manner  cover  the  frontier  of  New  York  —  be 
of  fcrvicc  to  Ofwego  in  the  cnfuing  fpring  —  and 
that  the  inhabitants  would  draw  very  large  fbms 
from  their  refidence  amongft  them.  Nor  did  he  for- 
get to  recommend  an  imitation  of  the  MaflachufTetts 
Bay  ;  who  thought  it  reafonabie  to  erefl  barracks 
for  his  own  regiment,  tho'  theyknev/^ejr  conti- 
nuance among  them  would  be  fliort,  deftined  as 
they  were  for  the  weftern  expedition.  But  that 
there  might  be  no  delay  in  building  the  barracks, 
arifing  from  any  doubt  of  the  expence  being  paid 
by  the  province  of  New  York,  Mr.  Shirley  inform- 
ed Sir  Charles^  that  if  they  would  not,  after  thefe 
confiderations,  take  that  expence  on  therafelves, 
he  would  defray  it  out  of  the  contingent-money  in 
the  hands  of  the  deputy  pay-mafter.  Thus,  my 
Lord,  if  any  ground  for  complaint  of  the  want  of 
"».---•  barrracks. 


755 


•B1 


>'i. 


L 


■(■■' 


.-♦- 


(     loS 


) 


V, 


!:•., 


1  7  r  r,    barracks,  Mr.  Shirley  'tis  clear  was  intircly  uncen- 

«— — V— — '  furable  :  and  if  the  troops,  as  this  libeller  informs 

us,  did  fuffer  in  their  ttnts,—  I  fobmit  it  to  your 

Lordihip,  whofe  province  it  was   to  have  found 

I  ■  ■  ■  f 

them  better  quarters.  But  the  fa(5l  is,  that  the  bar- 
racks were  finidiid,  and  the  troops  quartered  in 
them  before  the  firft  of  Dcccr^ber,  iutl  provided  for 
them  fiifficient  for  the  winter,  and  all  at  the  cxpenc^: 
of  the  crown.  -  ...'•.■ 

The  winter  now  approaching,  commifiioners 
were  appointed  by  the  governments  concerned  in 
the  Crown  Point  expedition,  to  afccrtiih  their  re- 
fpedlive  qxvotas  f()r  garrilb'ning  the  forts  Edward 
and  IViliiam  licn^y^  and  diioanding  the  reft  of  the 
anny.  After  this  was  compleated,  the  general  and 
Sir  Charles  Hardy  returned  to  New  York  -,  where 
the  formct"  Convened  a  grand  congrefs  of  governors 
and  field  officers,  to  deliberate  on  a  plan  for  the  o- 
rations  of  the  fuccecding  campaign.  But  before  I 
enter  upon  their  tranfadions,  Ifhall  briefly  lay  be- 
fore your  Lordfliip  thofe  between  Sir  Charles  Har- 
dy and  his  alTembly  •,  which  was  Opened  on  the  fe- 
cond,  and  continued  fitting  till  the  23d  of  Decern- 

ber. 
Tranfac-  j  HAVE  already  obferved,  that  the  miniftry,  from 

Yerk  .  j.^    the  time  of  Mr.  Clinton's  departure  in  1753,  had 

been  foUicitous  about  procuring  the  confcnt  of  our 

'  ...•:-  aflcmbly 


unccn- 
informs 

to  your 
?  found 
the  bar- 
;recl  in 
nded  for 
cxpenu' 

Ifiloners 
rrned  in 
tlicir  re- 
Edwnrd 
\  of  the 
cral  and 
;  where 
)vcrnorj 
)r  the  o- 
Dcfore  I 
lay  be- 
es Har- 

the  fe- 
Deccm- 

*y,  from 
53,  had 
:  of  our 
ficmbly 


(   109   ) 

affcmbly  to  a  law  cftablilhing  a  pc-rmanent  provifion    1 75  5. 

for  I  he  eovcrnor,  and  other  necefil^ry  officers.  When  \ "^ ' 

*  ^  ^  between  Sir 

Sir  Danvers  Ofborne  arrived,  he  brought  with  him  Charles 

an  inftrudion  for  that  purpofc;  from  the  terms  of  \^     I  *"^ 

*       *  nis  allem- 

which  it  was  apparent  that  the  niiniftry  had  it  much  biy. 

at  heart  •,  and  Sir  Danvers,  before  he  left  England, 

was  made  to  believe  that  Mr.  De  Lancey,  by  means 
of  his  great  popularity,  would  enable  him  to  carry 

it  into  execution.  This  I  had  from  a  gentleman,  to 
whom  Sir  Danvers  opened  himfelf,  and  whom  he 
confulted  before  his  embarkation  for  his  govern- 
ment. The  gentleman  is  a  perfon  of  the  firft  figure 
in  thefe  colonies ;  and  being  acquainted  with  the 
fyftcm  of  politicks  in  New  York,  he  informed  Sir 
Danvers,  that  thofe  promifes  were  by  no  means  to 
be  depended  upon :  that  Mr.  Dc  Lancey  was  inex- 
prcfTibly  jealous  of  his  afcendancy  over  the  aflem- 
bly,  who  were  utterly  difinclined  to  a  perpetual 
fupport:  that  he  would  join  in  no  meafures  that 
might  weaken  the  confidence  they  repoicd  in  him : 
that  as  long  as  he  maintained  his  influence  in  their 
counfels,  he  would  virtually  be  the  governor  of  the 
province;  and  therefore  upon  the  whok,  his  inte- 
reft  and  ambition  would  infallibly  lead  him  to  keep 
every  governor  in  a  flate  of  dependence  upon  him. 
Sir  Danvers  difliked  fo  difagreeablc  a  predifVion  ; 
and  many  arc  of  opinion,  that  its  accompliihment 

haftened 


Hi 


^i^i'i 


'■'I' 


.;> 


w- 


Wr 

H.!; 


If' 


ill 


iS^, 


■-V'S 


?fi 


■■.J 


'I 


I     no     ) 

J- 7 55*    ^i^^encd  his  unhappy  fate.     Excufc  mc,  my  Lord, 

»-.._A-       *  ^Qj.  ti-Qubiing  you  with  a  relation  of  fa<5i:s,  a  little 

Antcdote  of  oiit  of  thc  ftrifl  order  of  time.     There  is  an  ancc- 

Sir  Danvcrs  j^^^  ^^  g-^.  panvers,  of  which  I  would  not  hav« 
Oiborne. 

your  Lordlhip  uninformed.  He  arrived  here  on  thc 

7th  of  Oftobcr,-  1753,  under  very  difcouraging  ap- 
prehenfions  of  the  people;  and  indeed  not  without 
rcafon,  thc  oppofition  againft  Mr.  Clinton  havmg 
been  carried  beyond  all  decorum.  Governor  Of- 
borne's  commilTion,  thro*  Mr.  Clinton's  abfcence, 
remained  unpublilhcd  till  the  third  day  after  his 
arrival.  This  is  ufually  done,  firft  privately  in  thc 
council-chamber;  and  immediately  after,  in  thc 
moft  public  manner  at  the  city-hall.  To  wait  on 
his  excellency  thither,  Mr.  Clinton  came  abroad  ; 
an  aflonifhing  crowd  being  aflcmbled  at  thc  Fort 
Gate,  to  attend  thc  procefilon.  Mr.  Clinton's  ene- 
mies were  very  afliduous  in  exciting  the  oopular 
acclamations ;  and  thc  huzzas  of  the  mob  v/crc 
fcarce  intermitted  for  a  moment.  There  appeared, 
in  fhort,  fuch  a  profufion  of  joy,  accompanied  with 
fome  indecent  expreflions  refpcfling  himfelf,  as 
gave  Mr.  Clinton  juft  reafon  to  fufpe<^  more  open 
indignities.  He  therefore  foon  took  his  l^ave  of  Sir 
Danvers,  who  exprefled  his  difpleafure  at  thc  con? 
duft  of  his  enemies.  This,  my  Lord,  proved  a 
day  of  general  feftivity  and  Bacchanalian  frolic.  In 

<hc 


t'  ''P 


Lord, 
I  little 
;  ancc- 
:  have 
on  the 
ngap- 
/ithout 
having 
lor  Of- 
fccnce, 
her  his 
r  in  the 
in  the 
wait  on 
ibroad  ; 
he  Fort 
I's  cne- 
DOpular 
lb  V7crc 
pcared, 
ed  with 
felf,   as 
re  opep 
^e  ot  Sir 
he  conr 
>rovcd  a 
olic.  In 


(    ni    ) 

the  evening,  the  city  was  illuminated:  the  com-  1755* 
mOn  blazed  with  bonfires  :  great  was  the  confump-  "-'^" 
t'lon  of  Madiera  *,  and  every  compA\y  rung  with 
maledi^ions  againft  the  late  commander  in  chief, 
whfi  wai  charged  as  the  fole  procurer  of  the  new 
inftrviflion  ;  an  account  of  which  could  only  have 
tranfpired  from  fomeof  the  council.  Sir  Danvers 
alone  appeared  unaffe^fled  with  our  intemperate  re-  ^  • 

vcls ;  and  on   his  countenance  fat  a  melancholy        S  '     , 
gloom.   He  convened  the  council  on  Thurfday  the 
eleventh  of  the  month  •,  and  prayed  their  fentiments 
on  the  probability  of  obtaining  a  permanent  fupport, 
according  to  his  inftruftions.  That  the  point  was 
unattainable,  they  all  delivered  as  their  unanimous 
opinion.    He  then  required  the  folution  of  the  fame 
queftion  from  each  member  feverally ;  and  ftill  from 
each  received  the  fame  reply.   Upon  this,  he  turn- 
ed himfelf  about  in  apparant   diftrefs,  uttered  a    " 
deep  figh,  and  reclining  his  head  againft  a  window, 
in  a  defponding   accent  faid,  "  What  then  am  I 
*' come  hither  for  ?"  The   next  morning  — But  I 
dcfift.     This  inftru(5lion,  as  your  Lord(hip  will  be 
pleafcd  to  recolle(5l,  remained  unrevoked   all  the 
time  of  hh  fuceeffor :  and  'tis  natural  to  expcd, 
that  the  people  ot  this  province  were  very  inquifi- 
tive  whether  it  was   continued  to  Governor  Hardy 
—-  they  were  fo.     But  Sir  Charles  did  not  follow 

the 


^*r^ 


P 


Til 


I; 

n 


ilM 


F 


)[ 


a>. '  <,  .'»:; 


'■■3 


Rl  :.,><.: 


(       112       ) 

1755'    the  example  of  Mr.  Dc  Lancey,  in  laying  his  in- 

<«..-^..-,    ftriidions  before  the  afiembly.  The  article  relative 

to  the  fupport  has  undergone,  as  I  am  credibly  in- 

formed,  very  few  altcrations,'and  thofeonly  in  the 

preamble.     That  it  was  in  ..fubftance  the  fame,  is 

Evident  from  his  fpeech   to  the  houfe,  on  the   3d 

of  December,  at  the  opening  of  that  feflion.     His 

Sir  Charles    words  are  thefe  :  "  I  amcommanded  by  his  Majefly 

Hardy's        cc  jq    rccommenu  in   his  name   without  delay,   to 

fpeech  to  hn  ■' 


aflcmbly. 


(< 


<( 


/ 


Their  an- 
fwer. 


'*  confider  of  a  proper  Taw  to  be  pafled,  for  fettling 
*'  a  permanent  revenue  upon  a  folid  foundation, 
"  for  defraying  the  neceflary  and  eftablillied  charge 
**  es  of  government  •,  taking  care  that  fuch  law  be 
"  indefinite,  without  limitation  of  time  -,  and  that 
provifion  be  made  therein  for  a  competent  fa- 
lary  to  the  captain-general  and  governor  in  chief 
•*  of  this  his  Majefty's  province  ;  and  likevvife  for 
««  competent  falaries  to  all  judges,  jufcices,  and 
*'  other  neceflary  and  ufual  officers  and  miniilers  of 
"  government:  and  alfo  for  a  certain  permanent 
"  fund,  for  repairing  and  maintaining  the  fortifi- 
*'  cations,  for  making  anual  prefents  to  the  Indians^ 
"  and  for  the  other  contigent  expences  attending 
"  that  fervice  :  and  in  general,  for  all  fuch  other 
"  charges  of  government,  as  may  be  fixed  or  af- 
"  certained."  The  aflembly  in  their  addrefs,  after 
a  judly-merited  compliment,  for  his  aftivity  in 
V  ^         .  proceeding 


(( 


(C 


c< 


ec 


(c 


(( 


<6 


6i 


CC 


CC 


i 


;  his  in- 
relative 
libly  in- 
y  in  the 
fame,  is 
the  3d 
n.  His 
Majefly 
;lay,  to 
fettling 
idation, 
J  charge 
h  law  be 
and  that 
tent  fa- 
in chief 

wife  for 
cs,  and 
ifters  of 
manent 
e  fortifi- 
Indians^ 
[tending 
ch  other 
d  or  af- 
;fs,  after 
ivity  in 
icccding 


(     *i3     ) 

proceeding  to  Albany,  and  their  approbation  of  the     1 75  5. 
mcafores  for  garrilbning  the  frontiers,  fubjoin  this    ' — ""^ — ' 
emolient  paragraph  :  '*  We  wifli  we  could,  with  e-       ., 
"  qual  fatisfa/tion,  reconcile  to  ourfelves  yonr  ex- 
"  celiency's  recommendation  of  .in  indefinite  fup- 
'*  port :  but  humbly  beg  leave  to  inform  your  cx- 
'*  cellency,  that:  we  ha/e  nvopernianeiu  funds,  on 
"  which  to  ellablilh  fuch  a  levenuc-,  nor  do  any 
'*  occur  to  us,  without  very  apparant  inconvenien- 
*'  cies  to  our  conftituents.   We  therefore  mofl  huni- 
*'  bly  hope  we  fliall  (land  acq^uicted  in  the  eyes  of 
"  our   moll   gracious   fovereign,  if  we  decline  a 
*'  meafure  fo  diredly  oppofite  to  the  fentiments  of 
*'  almoft  every  individual  of  the  colony.  We  can-  ^^ 

**•  not  leave  this  fubjecSt,  without  dllclormg  to  your 
^'  excellency  the  concern  it  gives  us,  that  this  his 
*'  Majcfty's  loyal  colony,  which,  tho'  final!  in  num- 
*'  bers,  has  chearfully  bore  very  heavy  expences, 
•'  and  particularly  fupported  its  governors,  and  o- 
"  thcr  officers  of  govcnment,  in  a  more  liberal 
*'  manner  than  moft  others  on  the  continent,  fnould 
'^  be  requefted  to  purfue  meafures  hitherto  un- 
^*'  known  to  it,  whilft  the  reft,  almoft  without  ex- 
*'  ception,  are  left  to  pradife  the  very  meafures  dc- 
"  nied  to  us."  ' 

Mr.  Clinton,  my  Lord,  afked  of  this  fame  af-  T^gir  beha- 
fcmbly  only  a  fupport  for  five  years  ;  and  it  was  ^'°"  ^'ffer- 

P  refufed 


1!' 


V!  ■■■ 

I 
f 

if.. 


r  V 


m 


:« 


I  IP 


'lit"- 


(   11+  ) 

■^755'     refufed  with  indignation  and  virulence.  Sir  Charles 
— V  h{.re  demands  much  more  ;  and  we  fee,  that  he  is 

what  It  was  '  ' 

in  Clinton's  anfwercd  with  the  mofl  commendable  decency.  To 

tim'',  andthe  i     i  t        jn  •       •  •/•!-• 

rcafo  P  y^"**  I^o''""'*^P  '"  accounting  for  his  contra- 

di(ftory  behaviour  ---  Mr.  De  Lancey  was  bent  up- 
on expelling' that  governor  from  the  province  :  and 
to  gain  his  point,  continually  fomented  the  quar- 
rel he  himfelf  excited.  But  Sir  Charles  was  to  be 
treated  In  a  different  manner,  and  meafures  more 
lenient  were  to  be  purfued.  An  afcendency  over 
him  would  enfurc  to  his  lieutenant  many  advantag- 
es; and  enable  him  to  procure  the  governor's  af- 
fent  to  a  bill,  for  paying  him  a  large  fum,  now 
due  for  his  falary  and  other  perquifiies,  while  he 
had  the  chief  command.  He  might  indeed,  but 
durft  not  pafs  fuch  a  bill  himfelf,  and  therefore  ic 
was  not  offered.  Accordingly,  the  houfe,  at  their 
very  next  meeting,  fent  up  a  bill  to  the  (Council, 
on  the  4th  of  February  1756,  for  paying  the  debts 
of  the  government ;  in  which  he  was  a  creditor  for 
near  4000 1.  But  of  this  I  fhall  have  occafion  to 
take  more  particular  notice.  Thus,  my  Lord,  I 
will  forfeit  my  honour,  if,  upon  a  faithful  peruftl 

^  of  the  journals  of  aflembly,  your  Lordfhip  doth 

not  find  —  the  condufl  of  the  houfe,  and  the  inte- 
rcft  of  Mr.  Dc  Lancey,  for  ten  or  fifteen  years  pad, 

pcrfcdly  to  tally. 

Let 


Ir  Charles 
that  he  is 
tncy.  To 
s  contra- 
bent  up- 
ncc :  and 
the  quar- 
was  to  be 
res  more 
^T)cy  over 
idvanrag- 
rnor's  af- 
iim,  now 
while  he 
leed,  but 
erefore  it 
,  at  theirl 
s  (Council, 
the  debts 
editor  for 
:cafion  to 
Lord,  I 
il  peruftl 
hip  doth 
the  inte- 
earspaftJ 

LetI. 


the  opt  ra- 
tion* for 
I  ^ '  ^  ' 


{     x'5     ) 

Let  us  now  take  a  view  of  the  tranl'i^ftions  in  the     i  ^7  r  r , 
grand  council  of  war,  which  the  general  had  con-   „* ^ — ^ 

G  and  coun- 

vened  at  New  York,  for  fettling  a  plan  of  the  future  cil  of  ^zr 

operations.     It  was  opened  on  the  r2th  of  Decern-  ^,'""'"  *'.  '**' 
^  ^  Now  York 

ber,  and  continued  fitting  for  the  (pace  of  two  days,  for  feiiing 
Tho'  the  invitation  to  the  governors  was  univcrfal, 
it  confided  only  of  thefe  members  : 

His  Excellency  General  Shirley,  commander  in 
chief  of  all  his  Majefty's  forces  in  North  America  : 
His  Excellency  Sir  Charles  Flardy,  Knight,  go- 
vernor and  commander  in  chief  of  the  province  of 
New  York:     .,  . 

The  Honourable  Horatio  Sharpe,  Heut.  gover- 
nor and  commander  ia  chief  of  the  province  of 
Maryland:    ..  ,  . 

The  honourable  Robert  Hunter  Morris,  lieut. 
governor  and  commander  in  chief  of  the  province 
of  pennfylvania :     ,       . 

The  Honourable  Thoma?  Fitch,  governor  and 
fommmder  \r\  chief  of  the  colony  of  Connetflicuc. 
Col.  Thomas  Dunbar:  .^     .  ^.^^  ,       ^ 

Col.  Peter  Schuyler :        \  -•    ,  ;■ 

Major  Charles  Craven: 

Sir  John  St.  Clair,  deputy  quarter-mafter  general : 
Major  John  Rutherford.  . 

feveral 


adjt 


points 


mem^ 


jjers  took  their  feats  in  the  order  mericioncd  >  and 

'*  '      ■        '      tU 


I 


• 


»i 


i; 


■i;  S* 


(     ii6     )         V 

1755.     thf  general  opered  tlie  confcnenre,  by  laying  be- 

* V  fore  the  council  the  King's   inlliuc^tions  10  Gcntral 

The  general  Bradclock.  He  tlen  delivered  his  feniimcnrs  to  tlie 

deliver*  his    b^^r^i^  jQ  jhp  fullowing  purpofc  :   *'  1  hat  our  only 
Jentimrnis  to  o  i       x  / 

the  council  J  "  enicrance  into  Lake  Ontario,  was  thro*  the  Onon- 
**  daga  Rivfr  to  Ofwego.     No  other  harbour  had 
**  his  Majefty  upon  that  lake,  capable  of  receiving 
*'  vcflcls  of  force :  that  Olwego  ras  fituatc  in  the 
«<  country  of  the  Onondagas,    the   centre  canton 
**  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  famous   for  the   furr 
'*  trade :      no    other  mart    could    we    boall,     for 
*'  commerce   or   correTpordence    with    ihofe  nu- 
**  merous  tribes  of  lavages  inhabiting;  the  Wf  (lern 
'*  country,  on  ihe  banks  of  the  great  lakes  I'.rie, 
*'  Huron,  Michigan,  and  the   many    rivers  which 
"  roll  into  them  :   That  the  Lake  Ontario  was  only 
*'  accelTible  to  the  Canadians,  thro'  the  river  Cada- 
**  racqui,  formerly  called  by  the  French  Fleuve  I- 
"  roquois  •,  but  in  their  late  maps,  calculated  to 
"  countenance  their  exorbitant  claims,  diflinguifh- 
"  cd  by  the  name  of  St.  Lawrence.     At  the  head 
"  of  that  river  was  their  enterance  into  that  lake  ; 
**  and  near  Fort  Frontcnac,  fituated  on  its  north- 
**  eaflcrn  edge,  about  50  miles  from,  and  nearly 
*«  oppofite  to,  our  fort  at  Ofwego  :  That  while  the 
/*  enemy  kept  pofTcfTion  of  Frontenac,  with  the 
**  harbour  at  Fronto,  and  a  free  pafiage  thro'  the 
-  '^'     ,/  '  *'  Iroquois 


In 

bi 

1 

to 

to 

an 

en 

lol 

be 

th 

2i" 

A 

th 

Z'.\ 

at 

M 

fu] 

th< 

tb 

fi(T 

wii 

mi 

wi 

va| 

celler 

did 

Fn 

injT  be- 

D 

Central 
:s  to  the 
Jiironly 
;Onon- 
:)ur  had 
;ceiving 
in  the 
canton 
he  furr 
n,  for 
^(e  nu- 
Wfflt'rn 
-s  Krie, 
1  \A/hich 
'as  only 
r  Cada- 
euve  I- 
aied  to 
nguifh- 
le  head 
:  lake ; 
north- 
nearly 
hile  the 
kh  the 
ro'  the 
'oquois 


(     '17     ) 

*<  Iroquois  River,  they  would  always  be  able  to  17^  C, 
**  build  and  maintain  veHels  of  force  upon  the  lake:  '—• ^-"•-^ 
*'  Thas  his  Majefly  would  therefore  be  nccelHtated 
"  to  iupport  a  naval  armament  there,  at  Icall  equal 
*'  to  that  of  the  French.  Without  this,  they  might 
*' aiHKty  any  forts  we  could  crcJl  at  the  northcafl: 
"  end  ot  ihr  pals  at  Niairarav  and  Olvvfgo  itrdf  be 
"  lolt.  The  inevitable  Luiuequ»"nce  ot  which  would  • 
"  be,  the  drfrdion  of  the  Six  Nations,  the  lols  of 
"  the  whde  conntry  tor  near  300  miles  from  Ofwc-  , 
**  go  to  Schcnr-if^ady,  and  perhaps  ihc  reduction  of 
'V  Albany  irftlf "  The  j-eneral  adacd,  "  Tliat  all 
**  the  French  torts  at  Niagara,  upon  the  I  ke  Erie, 
"  and  the  rivir  Ohio,  thofe  ulfj  upon  lake  Huron, 
"  at  the  Streights  ot  MilTilimakinac,  and  the  Lai^e 
"  Michigan  ftill  more  wclterly,  received  all  their 
"  fupplies  by  water  carriage  from  Montreal,  thro' 
*'  the  River  Iroquois,  and  the;  Lake  Ontario  :  That 
*'  the  P'rench  fectlcments  at  the  movith  of  the  Mif- 
"  fiiTippi  furnilhed  thefe  northern  garrifons  neither 
"  with  proviQons  nor  flores ;  being  not  only  at  2000 
"  miles  diflance  ^rom  any  of  them,  but  embarrafled 
"  with  infuperable  difficulties,  by  a  laborious  na- 
"  vagation  againd  a  rapid  Itream.'*  Hence  his  ex- 
cellency  concluded,  "  That  could  the  French  be 
"  diQodged  from  Frontenac  and  the  little  fort  at 
"  Fronto,  and  their  cnterance  into  Lake  Ontario 

.    *'  obflruded. 


» 


{     i'8     ) 


a, 


^755*    "  obft''"<?^^^>  all  their  other  forts  and  fettlements 
i-,ww.„-j  jc  ^^  ^j^g  Ohio,  and  the  wellcrn  lakes,  were  depriv- 
"  cd  of  their  fupport  ^rom  Canada,  and  mult  ere 
^*  long  be  evacuated."  '   ,..,..., 

and  propofes      IMPRESSED,  my  Lord,  with  thefe  yicws,  the  gc- 
hvj  plan  of    i^^^al  propofcd,  as  a  plan  of  operations  for  the  next 
year  — That  5000  men  fliould  be  very  early  aficm- 
blcd  at  Ofwego,  and  4000  of  them  fent  to  attack 
Frontenac  and  La  Gallctte  •,  which  being  reduced, 
an  attempt  fliould  be  made  upon  the  forts  at  Nia- 
gira,  Prefque  Ifle,  Riviere  au  Bcuf,  Detroit,  and 
MifTilimakinac  :  and  that  in  the  mean  time,  3009 
provincial  troops  fliouy  march  from  W*il's  Creek, 
for  the  redudion  of  Fort  Du  Quefne  :  thrt  a  body 
of  1000  Hiould  proceed  to  Crown  Point,  build  a 
fort  there,  and  launch  one  or  more  vcflels  into  Lake 
Champlain :  And  that  the  force  of  Canada  might 
be  farther  divided,   he  |jropofcd,  that  2000  men 
{liould  carry  fire  and  fword  up  Kennebec  River, 
fall  upon  the   fettlements  adjoining  to  the  River 
Chandiere,  and  proceed  to  its  mouth,  three  miles 
dlfl-ant  from  Quebec  ;  and  by  dividing  themfelves 
into  fmall  parties  along  the  banks  of  the  river  St. 
Lawrence,  and  deftroying  the  fcattered  fettlements 
there,  keep  that  part  of  Canada  in  continual  alarms. 
He  then  obierved,  that  if  the  feveral  attempts 
upon  Crown  Point,  the   forts  upon  the  lakes,  and 

.  the 


letnents 

depriv- 

nuft  ere 

the  ge- 
:he  next 
ly  afTcm- 

0  attack 
educed, 

at  Nia- 
)it,  and 
e,  30oq 
s  Creek, 
:  a  body 

build  a 
ito  Lake 
la  might 
Doo  men 
:  River, 
le  River 
•ee  miles 
!mfelves 
river  St, 
rlements 

1  alarms, 
ittempt^ 
kes,  and 

the 


(     1*9     ) 

the  Ohio,  were  not  profecuted  at  the  fame  time,  1755* 
very  perilous  might  be  the  confequcnces.  That  if  ^  ^" 
in  particular,  while  Frontenac  and  Niagara  were 
attacked,  no  attempt  was  mad?  cigainft  Crown  Point, 
the  whole  force  of  Canada  would  march  to  oppofc 
us  ;  which  would  defeat  the  defign,  afid  require  fo 
large  a  body  of  troops,  as  to  render  the  tranfporta- 
tion  of  neceflaries  to  Ofwego  impra(5ticable.  So  nu- 
merous an  army  might  alfo  march  againft  Albany* 
2S  cffcdudlly  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  our  forces,  or 
at  leaft  totally  obftruft  their  fupplies  :  That  fhould, 
on  the  contrary,  our  whole  ftrength  be  deftined  for 
Crown  Point,  and  the  weftern  c-perations  neglecbcd; 
Ofwego,  the  grand  obj#A  of  the  French,  was  in 
the  utmOit  danger  of  fahing  into  their  hands.  A 
lofs  irreparable  and  beyond  eftimation  —  the  lofs  o^ 
tl^  whole  country  down  to  Albany,  with  that  of 
the  Six  confederate  Nations ;  and  to  the  French  the 
acquiHrion  of  an  abfolutfe  dominion  on  the  lakes, 
and  the  whole  fouthern  country.  ,',J  . 

His  Excellency  finifhcd,  with  informing  the 
council  of  his  late  intelligence  — That  the  French 
were  building  three  large  vcfTels,  of  fuperior  force 
to  ours,  in  the  harbour  of  Frontenac :  and  upon 
th^  whole  played  their  advice.  i       ' 

A  PLAN  fo  well  digefted,  and  fo  clearly  ftated,  v^hich  was 
required  but  little 'confiderationi  and  accordingly  approved, 

'  ;•■  "  '■'-  .  '  ■  .    with  ibme 

„       It 


il-i' 


M 


'11 


iHl 


Wi 


M'^ 


'^H 


mm^, 


I 


mi'' 

m  ^ 

mi 


littlf  akera- 
tiofii. 


(       '20      ) 

it  was  in  the  main  unanimouny  approved.     The 
council  advifed    the  general,    to  give  orders  for 
building  three  or  more  vcflels  at  Ofwego.     They 
were  of  opinion,  that  10,000  men  were  necefTary  for 
the  Crown  Point  expedition,   and  6000  for  that  on 
Lake  Ontario.  The  attempt  apainflFon  Du  Quefne, 
by  the  weflern  governments,   'was  ihought  would 
infwer  very  good  purpofes,  specially  in  fecuring  the 
fidelity  of  the  weftern  Indians.     The  feint  againft 
Quebec  was  approved,  if  it  interfered  not  with  the 
'other  expeditions.    The  operations  on  Lake  Onta- 
rio, they  conceived  ought  to  begin  with  the  attack 
on  Frontcnac  — and  upon  the  whole,  were  of  opi- 
nion —  that  an  additional  number  of  regular  troops 
would  be  necefTary  for  effc(51ually   recovering  and 
fcci:ring  his  Majcfly's  rights  and  dominions  on  the 
continent. 

The  council  having  finifhed  their  bufinefs,  the 

derogein't'ir  o°^^'^*^°''^  ^^°"  ^^^^^  returned  to  thfir  refpeftivc 
winter  de-  provinccs.  But  the  general  continued  his  head  quar- 
ters at  New  York,  till  the  21  ft  ot  January,  to  pro- 
fecutc  an  expedition  againft  Tinonderogej  this 
winter  :  and  as  the  French  garrifjn  was  left  very 
weak,  it  had  doubdcfs  fucceeded,  had  not  the  want 
of  froft  and  fnow  prevented  the  trajpfportation  of 
the  ftores.  Before  he  left  New  York,  he  had  a  frefti 
inllance  of  the  unwearied  and  ill-natured  induftry 
\  .  .  of 


gainftTinon-i 


featcd. 


Th 


gQQ 


En; 

gert 
fro, 
the 
tion 


abi 


I.    The 

krs  for 

They 

iTary  for 

that  on 

Quefne, 

u  would 

ring  the 

t  againft 

with  the 

:e  Onta- 

le  attack 

•  of  opi- 

ir  troops 

•ing  and 

IS  on  the 


lefs,  the 
efpeftivc 
Md  quar- 
,  to  pro- 

ge,  this 
left  very 
the  want 
:ation  of 
d  a  frefli 
induftry 
of 


-  what  ciui.j. 


(      121      ) 

of  his  oppofers  ;  of  which,  becanfe  important  in  its  175s. 
conrcquences  I  fhall  ^ive  your  Lordfhip  an  amplfc  ^""^  ' 
dc  ail.  The  principal  afrer.cs  were  McfT.  Deel,  add 
Lmcey  and  [■^ownal,  who  now  formed  a  Ivind  or 
daumirate,  to  prrplc  Ji  the  fervice,  in  order  to  ruin 
the  general.  Without  quc;lion,  my  Lord,  you  are 
as  much  furpriz'J,  afce*  w'l  .t  h^s  alreaJy  been  faid 
concerning  thele  gentle  m.-n,  to  H  iJ  Mr.  P  )Wnala- 
mong  th?  ge ntrai's  enemies,  as  you  wuul  1  have 
been  had  I  told  you  that  Mr.  De  La:icey  wa<?  not* 
I  am  fenfible,  thataperfon  of  you-  Lordlliip'^high 
ff^nfc  of  honour,  will  recoiled  Mi.  Shiiley*s  favours! 
to  him  at  Bofton  ;  and  think  it  incredible  to  find 
him  in  the  catalouge  of  thofc  combined  againil.  his 
bencfador.  But  it  is  a  fhinirig  remark  of  Tacitus*^ 
*'  That  bericfics  are  only  {o  far  acceptable,  as  it  feems 
"  pofTible  to  difcharge  them  ;  and  that  wheri  they 
**  have  exceeded  all  retaliation,  hatred  is  i'etiirned 
**  for  gratitude."  Mr.  Povtrnal,  who  was  ambitious 
of  recommending  himfelf  to  a  certain  nobi.  Lord  ia 
England,  by  furnifliing  him  with  American  inrelli- 
gerics,  could  by  no  me.ins  brook  his  being  abfenc 
from  the  congrefs  at  Alex:indria,  in  the  fpring  of 
the  prefent  year,  lie  earneft'v  f  >J^]:ht  an  introduc- 
tion to  General  BiaJd^Kk  -,  and  Mr.  Shirley  did  the 

.  Q^  (  oHicc 

•  Dencficia  en  u'qae  Isetn  fwnt,  ^'^'r^  v* >ntnr  exfalvi  pofL  : 
»bi  raulium  antevepcre,  ^-ro  gratiu  odiuin  reJtl..tt  . 


■  ■'3 

4 


1.  ''    )  ■ 


Iv  -'1 


'i    I 


m\' 


1  ■  ■'*-  ; 


(      122      } 

1755,  office  with  great  politenefs.  He  was  then  juft  in- 
y,  .  formcil  of  his  appointment  to  be  lieut.  governor  of 
New  Jcrfey,  and  on  that  account  prefled  for  an  ad- 
milTion  into  the  council.  Mr.  Shirley,  in  a  very 
genteel  manner,  declined  a  tafk,  which  might  give 
ofFencG  to  the  prener.d  ;  and  if  any  refolution  tran- 
Ipired,  d'aw  himfelf  Into  a  fnare.  But  Mr.  Pownal, 
being  a  ftranger  to  that  diffidence  and  modefty,  fo 
fuirable  to  his  yrars  and  inexperience,  became  from 
this  moment  difgufled,  and  was  fcldom  after  fecn 
amongft  that  gentleman's  friends.  He  tarried  at 
Philadelphia,  till  General  Braddock's  defeat :  and 
towards  autum  returned  to  New  York.  This  change 
of  temper  recommended  him  to  Mr.  De  Lancey, 
who  fa'led  not  to  exafperate  the  rifing  refentment : 
and  now  his  oppofirion  became  open  and  nnreferv- 
ed.  Juft  at  this  jun<51ure,  arrived  Sir  Charles  Har- 
dy ;  and  Mr.  Shirley  being  theti  at  Ofwego,  your 
Lordfliip  fees  how  feafonablc  their  opportunity,  for 
fowing  the  feeds  of  prejudice  in  the  bread:  of  the 
new  gove-nor.  I  will  not  take  upon  me  to  fpeak 
of  their  fuccefs  -,  but  doubtlefs  no  mifreprefenrations 
were  wanting  to  ftrengthen  the  cabal.  Yet  no  fooner 
did  the  general  arrive  from  Ofwego  ?t  Albany, 
where  Melf.  Pownal  and  De  Lancey  attended  upon 
Sir  Cha-les,  than  the  former,  diflembling  his  en- 
mity, laboured  to  procure  his  confidence,  that  he 

'^  miiiht 


juft  in- 
ernor  of 
r  an  ad- 

a  very 
^ht  give 
on  tran- 
Pownal, 
lefty,  fo 
me  from 
ter  fecn 
rrled  at 

at :  and 
1  change 
Lanccy, 
fitment: 
n  refer  V- 
es  Har- 
o,  your 
lity,  for 
1  of  the 
:o  fpeak 
nrations 
3  fooner 
Albany, 
■d  upon 
his  en- 
that  he 
mi];*ht 


(    123    ) 

might  pry  into  his  fccrets :  but  from  previous  inti- 
matiofis  ot  his  prefenc  difpofuion,  i.i   a   letter  to  a 
gentlcinan  then  near  the  general,  he  fuiicd  inrthac 
infidious  dcfign.   fie  could  now  no  longer  iupprefs 
his  malevolence,  or  conceal  his  recent  connt(ftions ; 
and   therefore  openly  trat'uccd  the  very   man,  to 
whom  he  was   indebted  for  all   his  fignificancy  a- 
jnongft  the  provinces.    My  Lord,  it  is  with  reluc- 
tance I  utter  thefi  things.     But  your  I.ordfnif)  is 
;is  determined  to  know  every  tranfaclion  which  con- 
.cerns  the  operations   in   America,  as  I  am  to  dif- 
charge  the  office  of  a  faithful  hiltori^n.     Truth  is 
too  facred  to  be  violated  eiiher  out  of  fear  or  favour; 
^nd  whatevisr  your  Lordfhip  may  think  of  this  een- 
ikman,  fuch  was  his  coridudl.     I  knew  him  an  a- 
vowrd  enemy  to  Mr.  De  Lancey,  and  to  Mr.  Shir- 
ey  as  fanguine  a  friend.     I  have  fince  known  him 
Jo  calumniate  the  latter,  and  applaud  the  former. 
'\\^ith  a  change  of  refidence,  or  ra.her  of  intereft, 
lie  changes  fides  ;  and  on  this   account,    no  man 
perhaps  ever  multiplied  fo  many  adverfaries  in  fo 
(hort  a  time.    He  aims  at  two  governinents,  with- 
out  the  lead  profpefl  of  peace,  if  either  of  them 
f^ould  fall  under  his  command.     I  can  aflfure  your 
Lordfhip,   that  even  in  the  province  of  New  Jcrfey 
l)c  is  fo  little  cfteemed,  and  that  principally  for  in- 
triguing the  difbandment  of  the  regiment  under 

Col. 


^7.?.? 


'ii' 


.'■  >j 


# 


r 


li' 


r 

■;■'  I 


''i^Wf  ' 


V«<M-«*« 


(  124  ) 

5755.    ^"'^-  >*'^^"yl'*^  toclifobligc  Mr.  Shirley,  that  upon 
his  return  to  England   in  February    1756,  he  w^s 
nnabic   to  procure   2  vote   of    aflcmbly,    defiring 
his  affiltance  of  their  agent  at  the  Court  of  Great 
Britain  J  though  he  pufhcd  it  with  an  earneflneft 
that  wruld  have  cu{!t  nu>\\  men  a  biulh  of  confufion 
Mr  P  wra"*      Determined  to  embarrals  the  general,  nothing 
could  have  been  more  agreeable  to  Mr.  Pownal  and 
:  '  '\i.w  Jcr-  tl:e  licut.  governor  oi  New  York, than  an  adniiflion 
*^  into  the  late  council  of  war.  lo  a  leat*at  that  board 

neither  of  them  had  the  leafl  prctenfion  ;  and  yet 
both  were  highly  difpleafed  at   not  being  invited, 
Mr.  Po^\'nal,  who  has  often  diftinguifhcd  himfelf 
for  puihing  a  bold   point,  rt'paired  to  New  Jerfeyv 
and  importuned  Governor  Belcher,  unable  on  ac- 
count of  his  age^  to  attend  the  congrefs  in  perfon, 
to  depute  him  in  his  {lead.  '  His  excellency  very 
•'.vifely  anfwered,  that  the  invitation  he  had  receiv- 
cd  from  the  general,  was  merely  a  perfonal  com- 
pliment :  nor  could  he,  wii;h  the  Icafl  decency,  in- 
fill upon  an  appearance  by  proxy.     His  lieutenant, 
inpatient  of  a  denial,  called  in  a  menacing  tone  for 
pen,  ink,  and  paper,  thinking  to  operate  on  the  in- 
iirmities  of  age  by  corrmination  and  outrage.  The 
council  wcie  adonlHied  at  this  indecent  attack  upon 
an  ancient  and  faithful  fervani  of  the  Crown,  and 
wichcld  their  advice.     But  the  governor,  confcious 

of 


\ 


:bat  upon 
',  he  w;iJ 
dcfiring 
of  Great 
irneflnefj 
Dnfufion 
,  nothing 

wnal  and 
admiflion 
lat  board 
and  yet 
invited, 
I  himfelf 
w  Jerfcys 
le  on  ac- 
1  perfon, 
ncy  very 
i  receiv- 
nai  com- 
ency,  in- 
;utcnantj 
tone  for 
►n  the  in- 
ge.  The 
ack  upon 
-wn,  and 
lonfcious 
of 


{     1^5     ) 

of  the  propriety  cf  his  refufal,  firmly  adhered  to  his    lye  ({, 

firffc  reloKuiofi  •,  and  Mr.  P.^wnal  abruptly  quitting  ' v— — i 

the  board,  returned  with  dirappoinccncnt  to  New 

York.  -  •         -.  r  V     .    ,  V 

*    This  centlennan,  my  Lord,  became  acquainted  He  procures 

at  PhiUdelptud  with  one  Kvaiis,  who,  fur  a*  valu-    "f,.<y*r*^® 
*  punjun  la- 

able  confidiration,  dedicated  lo  him  his  map  of  the  veftives 
middle  Britifh  c(»lonies,  with  an  encomium,  that  he  *'^^'"  '^* 
cfleemcd  him  ihe  bejl  jud^e  of  it  in  America,  This 
"man  having,  in  the  public  (Ireets  of  Philadelphia,not 
only  prelumedtoaccufe  Governor  Morris  of  high 
treafon,  but  to  alperfc  two  of  his  Majefly*s  minif- 
ters  as  penfioners  to  France,  fled  from  juflice  there, 
and  took  fanduary  in  New  York.  Mr.  Morris,  how-  ' 

.  -  .^   ,■  ;, ,  ever 

•  Amon^  ether  gentlemen  of  diftinftion  In  the  colonies,  Mr. 
Pownal  bee  ime  acquainted  with  Mr.  Alexander,  of  New  York; 
a  pcffpn  ot  a  tricnoly  diTpi  fiticn  and  eafy  accefs.  Mr.  Alex<> 
ander  had  ro^  the  fuivey or  general's  office  of  New  Jirfey  :  and 
Mr.  Pownal,  to  procure  the  fulfome  dedication  from  Evans, 
prcmifvd  him  that  office,  upon  his  acceffion  to  the  government. 
This,  Evans  frequently  declared  in  his  Lift  illnefs  lo  one  of  his 
molt  intimate  f  iritdii  ;  who  concealed  it  till  after  his  death. 
Such  an  anecdote  will  fcarcely  be  credited  by  thofe  unacquainted 
with  Mr,  Fownal's  iniatiable  ambition  to  rife  in;  America. 
There  was  another  inlUnce  o)  his  conduit  equally  farprlfing. 
While  this  gentleman  was  at  New  York,  diichaiging  iiis  em- 
baify  from  Bofton  in  the  fpring  IJSS'  he  had  the  loan  of  a  map 
of  the  country  from  Crown  Point  to  Montreal  ;  which  was 
compofed  by  WilliaiH  Alexander,  Ef;;  a  gentleman  well  (killed 
in  the  geography  of  America.  Mr.  Pownal,  who  had  oc- 
caiion  to  lay  tliis  chart  before  the  aflbmbly  of  New- York,  hav- 
ing erafed  the  name  of  its*  author,  very  mcdellly  i-lcxttd  his 
©wn.  And  tlio'  his  plagiarifm  was  deieded  Lt  the  time, 
^2  neglefted  to  return  it  ;  and  afterwards  produced  tne  fame 
map  before  the  miniftry,  claiming  to  himfeif  the  honour  due 
to  Mr,  Alexander  alone. 


"F 


'fff 


"\ii,. 

I 


•^ 

ii'>. 


n 


m 

1 1  iV 


ip  -ii 


(     126     ) 

'755*  ^^^*^  commenced  an  action  againO:  him  in  this  pro- 
■"^  vincc,  mure  for  his  own  viMviication,  than  a  repa- 
.  ration  of  damai^es ;  which  the  poor  fellow  would 
never  have  been  ab'e  to  make.  Upon  this  he  was 
committed  to  goal,  till  Mr.  Oliver  De  Lancey  fo 
far  befriended  him,  as  to  become  his  fecuricy. 
Thefe  were  his  circumilanccs,  when  he  publill^cd  a 
^  pamphlet  full  ot  in'/ectives  a^ainft  General  Shirley. 
I  will  not  affirm,  thit  he  wrote  it  at  the  inllance  of 
the  cabal  in  New  York.  I  leave  your  Lordfhip  to 
judge  how  far  they  were  concerned  in  it,  af:er  add- 
ing, that  it  contained  their -repeated  remarks ;  that 
Mr.  Pownal  was  frequently  at  his  lodgings  about 
the  time  of  its  publication  ;  and  did  aflually  accom- 
pany him  to  a  printer,  to  haften  the  i.npreflion,  be- 
fore he  failed  for  *  England.  I  (ball  not  trouble  your 
Lordlhip  with  any  particular  obfervations  upon  this 
libel.  If  ever  it  (hould  fall  into  your  Lordihip's 
hands,  this  letter  will  afTift  you  in  detecting  its  falfe- 
hoods,  and  forming  a  proper  judgment  both  of  it§ 
author  and  his  abettors. 

IHUS, 

•  Upon  the  r.ews  of  »he  Icfs  of  Ofwepo,  part  of  it  was  re- 
publifhed  in  ih(;  New  York  Gazette,  to  lead  tht  pcpulace  to 
impute  this  c  himity  to  General  Shirely.  It  was  appealed  to, 
as  an  indifputable  authority,  by  the  veryperfons  to  whom  poor 
livans  was  indtbitd  tor  bis  rnareriah  :  and  without  whofe  dic- 
tating^, it  would  rever  have  feen  the  light.  To  wr'te  a  book 
inanrther's  name,  and  thtn  to  quote  it  as  an  authority,  is  a, 
fpccicj' of  proof,  with  wluch  Euclid  appeals  tohuyeb^en  ut- 
terly unacquainted. 


' 


iS  pro- 
i  repa- 
woulJ 
he  was 
ncey  (o 
jcurity. 
liflicd  a 
5hirley. 
ance  of 
i(hip  to 
er  add- 
s  •,  that 
;  about 
aecom- 
lon,  be- 
lle your 
)cnthis 
dihip's 
s  falfe- 
1  of  it$ 

Thus, 

was  re- 
pulace  to 
ealed  to, 
lom  poor 
hofe  die- 
e  a  boolc 
ity,  is  a 
bt-en   ut 


(       '27       ) 

Thus,  my  Lord,  was  every  opportunity  embraced     I  7  5  5  * 
by  the  cabal  to  prejudice  the  general  in  the  opinion  ^"g?^  ^i^^ 
of  the  people:  and  happy  f»r  the  colonies,  had  their  taken  lopre- 
mifreprefentations  been  connned  to  this  fid'*  the  At-  {JJj'rlev  both 

lantic!  B:nt  on  Mr.  Shirley's  removnl,  all  Imagi.  >n    England 

11.  .  .   r  1  •       1        rt        andAmcfica* 

nablc  pams  were  taken  to  defame    his  character. 

Here,  th»»y  qucllioned  his  integrity.  But  in  Eng- 
land, they  enderivoured  to  create  a  fufpicion  of  his 
judgment.  General  Johnfon  was  fet  up  as  hiscom- 
pcnror  •,  and  to  his  renown  were  blown  all  the 
trumpets  of  fame.  Shirley's  deep  {hn^c  of  the  im- 
portance of  Ofwego,  was  made  the  objefl  of  buf- 
foonry  and  rid  cule.  The  redu(ftion  of  Crown  Point 
reprefented  as  a  matter  of  fuperior  moment.  Three 
hundred  men  Mr.  De  Lanrry  often  declared  to  be 
a  fulHcient  garri  fon  for  Ofwego.  The  generd  was 
therefore  charged  with  fqumdering  the  King's  mot 
ney,  in  making  it  the  main  obVft  of  his  attention: 
and  out  of  mere  oppofition,  a  icheme  was  recom- 
mended for  tu minor  our  whole  force  toward  Crown^  '  ',V 
Point.  Upon  this  errand,  my  Lord,  Mr.  Pbwnal  :. 
went  home  in  February  1J56.     I  need  not  inform'  '      ' 

your  Lordfhip  of  the  fucccfs  of  the  faiflion.  The 
fequel  will  fhew  with  what  confequences  it  was  at- 
tended. Thus  ended  the  year  1755.    A  year  never  Reflexions 

on  the  fruil- 

lO  be  forgotten  in   America.     It  opened  with  th*  jef,  opera- 

faireft  profpefts  to  thcfe  diftant  diiperfions  of  the  ^'°"^  ^^ 

I75S. 
Britilh 


'  V 


v. 


T 


fi 


Zk. 


I':- 


i« 


(       128      J 

'  7  ?  ?•    ^"^^^  Empire.     Four  armies  were  on  foor,  to  re- 

W...A- '  move  the  encroachments  of  a  perfidious  neighbour; 

and  our  coafts  honoured  with  a  fleet  for  their  fecu* 
rity,  under  tiie  command  of  the  brave  and  vigilent 
■  Bofcawcn.  We  h,v\  every  thing  to  expccfl  --  no- 
'  thing  to  fear.  The  enemy  was  defpifed  •,  and  we 
t)nly  dcfired  a  proclamation  of  war,  for  the  final 
deftrudlioit  of  the  whole  country  of  New  France. 
Bur,  my  Lord,  hoW  unlookcd  for  was  the  event  J 
General  Winfljw  indeed  fuccecdcd  in  Nova  Scotia: 
but  Braddock  was  defeated  —  Niagara  and  Crown 
Point  remained  unreduced  — the  Barbarians  were 
let  loofe  from  the  wildernefs  -  -  many  ihoufand 
farms  abandoned  —  the  King's  fubje^fls  inhumanly- 
butchered,  or  reduced  to  beggary  —  one  of  the  ** 
provinces  rent  by  inteftine  broils  —  in  another,  a 
potent  fadion  laying  the  foundation  for  new  difafl- 
crs,  in  the  courfe  of  theenlLimg  year. 

Thelmport-      '^"^  ^^^  England  colonies,  my  Lord,  tatce  the 
ince  of  the  lead  in  all  military  matters.     Your  Lorddiip  is  too 

lantjcolonies  ^^^^  acquainted  with  hiftory,  not  to  know,  they 
in  military  chiefly  Owed  their  origin  to  the  difputes  which  in- 
volved the  nation  in  all  the  calamities  of  a  civil 
war.  The  firft  planters  encountered  innumerable 
difficulties,  and  were  long  engaged  in  repeated  wars 
ythh  the  Indian  natives.     Their  defccndants  retain 

■     ' .         '   ;    ■  ■•  -  '  ■  '■■  >.    —'■      ^h6 

r!  *  Pennfylvania 


iDauers. 


tnc 


tnc 


/ 


} 


to  rc- 

rhboUfi 

ir  fecu' 
vigilent 
;  -—  no- 
and  we 
he  final 
France. 
:  event  1 
Scotia : 
1  Crown 
ms  were 
houfand 
lumanly 
of  the  * 
other,  3 
w  difaft- 

ake  the 
ip  is  too 
\v,  they 
lich  in- 
)f  a  civil 
imcrable 
itedwars 
[ts  retain 
the 


(    129   ) 

the  martial  prowcfs  and  fpirit  of  their  anccllors :  1755'' 
and  for  wifdom,  loyalty,  «nd  an  enterprifing  geni-  '  ^'— *•, 
ws,  arc  a  people  of  renown.  In  thcfe  governments 
lies  the  main  flrength  of  the  Critilh  intereft  npon 
this  continent.  Befides  their  above  advantageous 
characfter,  they  are  very  con fidcrable  for  their  num- 
bers, the  Maffachuflctts  bay  contains  about  40,000' 
capable  of  arms.  The  militia  of  Conncdicut  is  a- 
bout  27,000.  Rhode  Ifland  and  New  Hampfnire" 
are  not  fo  populous.     His  Majefty's  fervict:  there-  ^"^^'^rlcy 

r  7  1-  rr  L         \  i  i-  ^^l^ligtcl  to 

lore  rendered  it  necenary  for  the  general,  r.ccoraing  ^-^^  hisf.wn 
to  the  plan  of  operations,  to  vifit  his  ov/n  govern-  gcvcmiv.cnt. 
ment,  in  order  to  folliclt  the  fuccours;  v/ithouc 
which  the  expedition  propofed  againlt  Crown  Point 
muft  inevitably  have  flilled.     For  this  purpofc  he 
fet  out  from  New  York  on  the  2 1  fc  of  January  :  and, 
bur  for  his  prefencc  and  follicitacicns  at  Boilon,  no 
provincial  troops  would  this  year  have  entered  the 
field.  —  That  colony  was  fo  extremely  difoblif;ed  at' 
the  condufl  of  General  Johnibn,  in  neglecting  to 
puifuc  his  advantages,  after  the  memor.il.le  rou:e 
of  the  French  at  Lake  George,  as  to  be  in  rreneial     ^ 
averfe  to  a  new   campaign  :  and  with  the  urmoil  ■'^'\-''  '"^^^ 

cii  fi*  cult  voD— 

difficulty  did  the  grneral  procure  their  concurrence  tairs  their 
in  another   cxpenfive   attempt.  —  There  let  us  nt  '^''"^""'^^'^'' 
preftnt  leave  him,  promoting  the  public  ft  rvice  of  expedition, 
the  colonies  :  and  returning  again  to  Nevv  York  — 

R  fuiTcr 


1756. 


^ 


y; 


If 


-n 

1.^'- 


,1: 


(   130  ) 

1756.    AifTcr  mc,  at  this  inac^livc  fcalbn  of  the  year,  to  en- 
*    ,-^       t  j^j.fj^ij^  yQyj.  Lordfhip  with  one  or  two  inllanccs  of 
Lieut.  Governor  Dc  Lancey*s  more  private  politi-* 
cal  feats. 

Never  was  any  man  more  impolitic  than  Go- 
vernor Clinton.  1  lad  he  kept  the  chief  juftice  de- 
pendent on  his  fiwonr,  he  would  have  governed 
his  province  with  cafe  and  tranquillity  :  but  by 
granting  him  a  new  commifTion  for  his  office//«r/;/^ 
£ood  hehcrjioury  he  fct  him  at  liberty  to  a(fl  at  plea- 
fure :  and  in  confcquence  of  this  fatal  error,  the 
province  was  thrown  into  violent  convulfions.  No- 
thing therefore,  my  Lord,  could  be  more  defirablc 
to  his  fuccefTor,  than  to  hold  that  gentleman  under 
proper  reftraint.  Sir  Charles  Hardy  had  this  ad- 
vantage :  his  office  of  chief  juftice,  I  am  informed, 
became  extingnifiied  the  moment  the  government 
:  devolved  upon  him  by  the  death  of  Sir  Danvers 
Ofborne.  From  the  time  of  Sir  Charles  !  Tardy*s  ar- 
Licut.  Gov.  rival,  Mr.  De  Lanccy  had  impatiently  expelled  a 

De  Lancey  ,  i    r,  •  i 

efun  e«  his  "^^  commiflion  :•  Due  the  governor  neglcaing  the 
feat  on  the  offer,  to  the  aftonfliment  of  mod  in  the  province, 
his  office  of  ^^  notwithftanding  ventured  to  refume  his  feat  on 

chief  juftice   t^g  bench  in  January  term  ;  v/hen  two  felons  were 
was  become  .  .  .  1  •     1 

«xur.£l.  arraigned  before  him.  This  bold  ftroke  at  the  pre- 
rogative, moft  men  imagined  would  have  drawn 
down  the  rcfentment  of  the  new  governor ;  and  why 

it  was 


C( 


(C 


(( 


,  to  f  n- 

nccs  of 

polit'u 

lan  Go- 
licc  dc- 
)vcrncd 
but  by 
Tyduring 
at  plea- 
ror,  the 
ns.  No- 
Icfirable 
n  under 
this  ad- 
form  cd, 
:rnment 
Danvcrs 
,rdy*s  ar- 
pefled  a 
:ling  the 
rovince, 
feat  on 
t)ns  were 
the  pre- 
e  drawn 
and  why 
ir  was 


(    i3«    ) 

it  was  pifTcd  bjr  without  obfervation,  I  muft  leave    ly  c6, 

to  your  Lord(hip*s  conjc(n:ures.     That  Dc  Lancey  * »r---^ 

had,  in  reality,  no  right  to  the  cxcrcifc  of  that  of- 
ficc,  has  been  (Irongly  infiftcd  upon  by  gentlemen 
of  the  law,  tho'  in  an  extrajudicial  manner.  1  pre- 
tend not  myfclf  to  any  knowledge  in  that  intricate 
fciencci  but  bc^  leave  to  prcfent  your  Lordlhip 
with  an  opinion,  relating  to  the  point,  contained  in 
the  following  letter  from  a  gentleman  of  the  profef- 
fion  to  his  friend  in  this  city  *,  with  a  copy  of  which 
I  have  been  favoured  — 

Philad.  21  Ofl.  1755. 
«'  S  I  R, 
**  You  fay  you*rc  informed,  that  your  licut,  go-  The  opinion 
^'  vernor  defigns  to  excrcifc  his  former  office,  in  °^^  g«"t'c- 

niin  of  the 

"  virtue  of  the  commifTion  ififaed  by  your  late  go-  law  with  re- 
"  vernor  Clinton.  I  can't  think  your  information  ^P^^  *°  "• 
"  well  grounded;  becaufe  I  ^\\\  clearly  of  opinion, 
*'  that  office  was  extinguillicd  by  his  acceptance  of 
"  the  lieut.  governor's  commiflion  :  and  1  conceive 
^'  Mr.  De  L,ancey  will  hardly  venture  to  difputc 
*'  the  niitter  with  the  crown.  The  main  reafon  I 
go  upon  is,  that  thofe  two  offices  are  incompa-  j 

tible.  To  make  this  plain  to  you,  you  mull  im- 
"  dcrftand  —  that  to  every  office  there  are  dudes 
"  annexed.  The  fame  perfon  cannot  exercifc  two, 
^*  offices,  inconfiftcnt  with  one  another.     One  of 

them 


t( 


C( 


[f^  T 


It  i, 


,.i; 


n 


T'l' 


if- 


» 


tv. 


(     ^32     ) 

iy^6.  •^^  theiTL  mufl  therefore  be  loft-,  bccaufe.  as  every 
'  "  ofBcc  is  pro  bono  publico,  its  ufc*  lies  in  the  exer- 
"  cifeof  it :  and  the  inferior  office  is  that  which  is 
*'  loft  •,  becaufe  it  is  moft  for  the  public  good,  that 
*'  tlie  officer  ftiouh'  hold  the  fuperior  office  ;  as  tht 
*'  law  prefumes  every  man  capable  of  the  office, 
'«  which  the  King,  who  is  the  fountain  of  offices 
"  and  honour,  is  pleafed  to  confer  upon  him.  A- 
^*  greeable  to  this,  we  find  many  refolutions  in  cur 
*'  booki :  rii  mention  one  or  two  —  A  man  cannot 
"  be  ^orefter  and  judge  er  injianti.  Rolls  Rep.  452, 
"  &c.  —  Nor  judge  of  the  Com.  and  King's  Bench 
"/wa/  C5?  femsL  Dyer's  Cafe.  4^5  Phil.  &  Mar. 
*'  the  firil  patent  is  determined^  tho'  the  fecond  was 
«'  granted  pr^  Ilia  vice,  and  furrendered  the  next 
**  day.  Br-  N  C.  5  Mar.  Br.  Commiffions  pi.  25. 

"  Nothing  now  remains  but  to  ftiew,  that  the 
"  office  of  chief  juftlce  and  governor  of  your  pro- 
*'  vince  are  inconfiftent.  To  explain  this,  I  muft 
*'  inforni  you,  that  your  fupreme  court  is  a 
*'  court  of  general  jurifuidion,  eftablifhed  by  an 
"  ordini^Hce  of  governor  and  council  -,  claiming 
''  the  like  power  here  in  all  pleas  civil  and  criminal, 
"  as  fully  as  they  are  taken  cognizance  of  by  the 
''  King's  Bench  and  Common  Pleas  in  England. 
"'  Superior  to  this,  is  the  Court  of  Governor  an^ 
"Council-- a  rourr,  inftitutcd  by  one  of  his  Ma- 

jcfty's 


(C 


(( 


(( 


(( 


s  cv^ry 
c  exer- 
'hich  is 
)d,  that 
as  tht 
I  office, 
I  offices 

TJ.      A- 

5  in  cur 
I  cannot 

-P«  452? 
5  Bench 

ftcMar. 
jnd  was 
he  next 
A.  25. 
hat  the 
)ur  pro- 

I  mull 
irt   is   a 

by  an 
:laimiiig 
riminal, 

by  the 

'ngland. 

nor  and 

his  Ma- 

jefty's 


(     ^33     ) 

**  jePcy's  in flruftions  to  your  governor.     In  virtue    I7r6. 

"  of  this  inllrucftion,  wri:s  of  error  are  returned  '^' 

*'  froHi  the   fupreme   conit,  before   the  governor 

**  and  council.    The  inconfiflency  then  of  the  two 

"  offices  becomes  very  apparent:     By  the  inftruc- 

^'  tion,  the  Q-overnor  in  the  court   above  is  a  fine 

"  quo  non  -,  and  to  fuppofe  him  at  the  fame  time 

"judge  in  the  court  below,  and  muft  difregard  the 

"  abfurdity  of  the  governor's  lending  a  writ  to  com- 

"  mand  himfelf  j  and  of  his  juftifying  his  judgment 

"  as  chief  jufiice  to  himfelf  m  council  as  governor: 

**  and  yet  be  excluded  from  a  voice  in  the  judg- 

*^  ment  above*,  wiiich  neverthelefs  cannot  be  given 

'^  without  him.     You  fee  then  the  incompatibility 

*'  is  much  ftron^cr,  than  if  a  man  fhould.be  judge 

'^  both  of  the  King's  and  Common  Bench  in  Eng- 

''  land.   There  the  other  judges  of  B.  R.  might  cor- 

"  re6l-  the  error  in  the  Common  Pleas  —  but  here 

*^.the  eourfe  pf  public  juftice  might  be  intirely 

"  iloppcd.  '        V     i 

'*  If  it  fbould  be  faid,  his  power  was  only  fu- 
"  fpended,  while  in  the  chair  of  government  •,  I  an- 
'*  fwer  with  the  obfetvaticn  before  —  that  an  office 
'.'  is  a  diity^  as  the  very  word  itfclf  implies  :  and  I 
"  knov/  of  no  llceping  and  not-to-bc-cxercifed  of- 
'-'  fice.  Every  office  is  inftituted  for  the  public 
'Vgood  :  the  officer  is  therefore  obliged  to  exercife 

his 


v\y\ 


'S 


1 


■I . 


■:* 


i 


■  4n 


•'m't-^ir" 


ti 


ic 


'^1  ,  (     ^S4    ) 

^75^'   **  ^^«=duty;  for,  without  thar,  he  carniot  fcrve  the 
^*  putilic  —  and  to  be  ohU^ed  to  a£f^  and  at  the  fame 
**  time  ^hU'^cd  "m  to  a5l^  is  nonfenfe.     It  would  be* 
"  more  fpecious  to  fay,  tlie  inftrudion  h  no  law; 
**  as  your  afiferablies  have  often  faid  in  other  ^rafes 
<«  but  thcn^  Sir,  Mr.  De  Lanccy,  in  obedience  to 
**  it,  hns  declined  acting  as  judge,  ever  fince  the 
*'  death  of  Sir  D.  Ofbornc :  and  why  has  he  (as  I 
<«  have  been  informed)  rejcfled  a  writ  of  error,  be*- 
caufe,  according  to  this  very  inflru(?i:ion,  the  da* 
mages  in  demand  did  not  exceed  300  L  fterling? 
*'  Befides  this  court  of  Governor  and  Council,  I  an? 
*'  told,  has  long  exercifed  its  power,  under  thV  -^n 
**  former  inftruflions  to  your  governors,  of  the  liks 
**  tenor,  without  the  leaftoppofition. 

*'  The  offices  will  further  appear  tc  be  inconfifl- 
**  Ciit,  if  you  refleft  —  that  as  governor  he  is  alfo 
*'  chancellor.  The  Court  of  Chancery  often  re- 
ftrains  the  power  of  the  law  courts :  and  it  is  the 
fpiritof  every  court  ?:o  enlarge  its  own  jurifdic- 
*'  tion.  Upon  both  thcfe  accounts,  the  two  offices  ' 
*'  mufl  inevitably  clafh.  I  know  that  Knevet  was 
**  formerly  chief  juftice  and  chancellor :  but  the 
««  propriety  of  that  double  inveftiture  was  never  fo- 
«« lemnly  coniidered,  it  was  long  ago,  in  the  time 
"  of  Edw.  III.  There  has  been  no  inftance  of  the 
**  like  in  latter  times  j  nor  do  I  believe  it  would  be 

fuffered 


tn 


«c 


\ 


\ 


<c 


on 
the 

"1 
By 

dito 


ve  the 
2  fame 
M  be' 
law; 

cafes 
nee  to 
ce  the 
:  (as  I 
or,  be*- 
:he  da* 
erling? 
1, 1  any 
hV  ^.n 
he  likff 

COR  fill-' 

;  isalfo 
ten  re- 

t  is  the 
jrifdic- 

offices  ' 
ret  was 
)ut  the 
ever  fo- 
he  time 
:  of  the 
ould  be 
fufFered 


f 


(  ^35     ) 

"  fufFered.     But  the  cafe  is  much  flrongcr  here—    I J  ^6, 
*'  and  I  can't  conceive,  for  the  reafons  above,  that         ^ 
"  your  licut.  governor  will  attempt  to  fit  as  judge, 
"  by  virtue  of  his  old  commilTion.  It  it  more  pro- 
"  bable,  he  will  prevail  on  your  governor,  lately 
•  arrived,  to  grant  him  a  new  patent. 

I  am,"  &c. 
Perhaps,  my  Lord,  no  higher  evidence  can  be 
afligned  of  a  man's  influence,  than  fuch  a  bold  in- 
vafion  of  his  Majcfty's  prerogative.  Mr.  De  Lancey 
was  determined  not  to  lofe  an  office,  which  he  knew 
to  be  the  grand  fource  of  his  popularity,  and  the 
main  prop  of  his  power.  For,  whoever  is  chief  juf- 
tice  of  the  province,  unlefs  a  very  novice,  muft  be 
the    fecond  man   in   the   government.     Governor 
Hardy  made  no  oppofition  to  this  large  ftride  of 
ambition  :  and  the  other   not  long  after,  by   his 
wonderful  artifice,  fubjefled  him  to  his   abfolute 
dominion.     It  was  effefted  in  the  following   man- 
r  •!  —  Your  Lordlhip  will  be  pleafed  to  rccolle(5t,  ^j^j.  ^"^^^ 
t  J    Mr.  De  Lancey  had  the  addrefs  to  prevail  up-  governor  to 
on  the  aflembly  to  fend  up  a  bill  to  the  council,  on  ^^  l^^^Uy 
the  4th   of  February,     intituled,    "An   afl    for 
"   the   payment  of  the  Debts  due  from  this  Co- 
"lonyv  and  other  Purpofes  therein  mentioned.'* 
^  By  this,  payments  were  to  be  made  to  many  ere* 
ditors  of  the  govern  me  ntj/^ry^rw^j  done  ibis  colony  ^ 

without 


1 

r     ■ 
■ 


i 


li 


¥ 


M' 


.  'i 


^■^ 


Iff  ■ 

1 ' , 


■f  > 
.1 

'if' 

.r 


lit' 


m: 


M 

m 

m 


['■  f 


175 


(.    i3f7     ) 

g^  without  fpeclfying  what  tbofe  fervicec  were.  Th(* 
— — '  liciit.  governor  was  to  receive  3787  1.  i6s.-  and 
feveral  other  fums  were  piiyablc  to  his  brother.  It 
was  In  reality  2  bill  for  chlcharging  the  arrears  dud 
to  the  ordinary  officers  of  the  government.  To  ren- 
der it  the  more  palatable  to  the  governor,  provifion 
was  made  for  paying  him  alfo  large  fums  for  pre- 
fents  to  the  Indians,  :ind  the  expcnces  of  his  voy- 
age to  Albany,  after  the  French  repulfe  at  Lake 
Georn;e.  When  it  came  up  to  the  council,  it  ob- 
tained .'  ,iority  only  by  one  voice  :  and  of  thefe, 
my  Lord,  two  gentlemen,  befides  lieut  gov.  De 
Lanccy,  were  themfclves  intereiled  in  the  bill. 
They  were  the  puisne  judges  of  the  fupremc  court, 
MefT.  Horfmanden  and  Chambers,  whofe  arrear.5 
offalary  were  now  by  the  acl  to  be  difcharged. 
MefT.  Golden,  Alexander,  and  Smith  looked  up- 
on it,  as  a  mean  invafion  of  the  Kint^'s  Inflrut^ions 
which,  until  they  refigneJ  their  feats  at  the  council 
board,  they  were  bound  in  honour  to  regard  with 
facred  pun(5luality.  — -  It  v/as  befides  evidently  par- 
tial;  no  provifion  being  made  for  other  creditors, 

whofe  demands  were  indifputable.  They  alfo  con- 
ceived it  derogatory  to  tlie  dignity  of  that  board, 
to  pafs  an  ad,  excludin^r  thcmfelvcs  from  anv 
knowledge  of  thofe  fcrvices,  for  which  the  refpec- 
tlve   fums  were  made  payable.    .  Fgr  tlicie  reafon.^ 


% 


I- .;' 


•v^lv 


n 


am  on  2 


m^ 


M- 

'*;:! 


;.  Th(- 
6  s.-  and 
thcr.  Ic 
ars  ducT 
Toren- 
rovifio.l 

or  pre- 
lis  voy- 
t  Lake 
,  k  ob- 
f  thefe, 
gov.  De 
he  bill. 
ic  court, 
arrear.5 
charged, 
ced   up- 
uiflions 
council 
ird  with 
cly  par* 
'editors, 

tlfocon- 
t  board, 

3m   anv 

refpec- 

reafon.^. 


am  on  2 


f     *37     / 

trnbng  others,  they  oppo(l-d  the  bill ;  and  prayed    I  "^  C  6. 
their  dilTent    mighc  be  entered,  as  a  vindication  of  ^ — ^"""~' 
themfelvcs  to  his  Majedy.   The  governor,  to  whom 
it  was  lent  up,  detained  it  for  farther  confideration; 
tho*  he  palled  feveral  other  bills  on  the  19th  of  the  / 

month.      This  circun-flancc,  n.y  Lord,  could  not 
but  chagrin  his  lieutenant,  who  had  the  bill  much 
at  heart ;  not  only  on  account  of  the  large   Turns 
thereby  ppyableto  himfelf  and  brother  •,  but  becaufe 
the  pafTmg  it  into  a  law,  would  be  the  fuUell:  evi- 
dence of  his  afcendency  over  the  governor ;  arid  if 
he  could  bring  him  into  difgracc  with  the  miniilry, 
by  leading  him  into  a  breach  of  inllruclions.  It  v/as 
plain  he  v/ould  have  nothing  to  rely  upon,  but  his 
own  popularity.    This  was  an  important  card,  and 
to  be  fkiltully  played  olF.   .  So  indeed  it  was:  and 
when  I  finifh  the  ftory,  I  am  perfuaded  your  Lord- 
fhip  will  entertain  no  very  mean   opinion  of  Ame- 
rican politicians. —The  fpring  was  nowadyancing-, 
and  it  became  nectilary  to  pafs  a  law  for  levying 
forces,  not  only  to  Join  the  eaflcrn  CQloni.es,  on  a 
new  expedition  againft  the  French  fortrefs  at  Crowii 
Point,  bui:  for  the  protection  of  our  wellern  fron- 
tiers, in  conjunction  with  Fennfylvania  anfl:  New 
Jerfcy,  which  v;ere  become  fields  of  blooc),  by  the 
daily  ravages  of  inhuman  barbarians.     The  bill/or 
this  purpofe  originated  vvitli   the   alTemuly  :  and 

'S  Mr. 


3 


■f 

m 


'f.  ' 


w 


k" 


>f" 


w 

u  ■  ■ 

If      * 


■■  i'    J 


11 


;i: 


(  '38  ) 

1 7  c6.    Mr.  De  Lanccy,  who  was  now  clofctlng  the  mcm- 

**-"-'^ '  ber^.,  was  its  principal  conflrudlor.    When  it  came 

before  the  council  on  the  28th  of  March,  that  board 
immediately  objeded  to  it,  according  to  his  expec- 
tations:  and   the   governor  declared,  that   if  the 
council  approved,  he  Ihould  himfelf  gire  it  a  ne- 
*  gati  ve.  According  to  the  tenor  of  this  bill,  the  for- 
ces defigned  for  the  weflcrn  expedition  were  to  ferve 
'but  forty  days,  when  the  province  of  New  Jerfey 
had  ordained  their  quota,  to  be  difbandable  by  Mr. 
Belcher :  and  Sir  Charles  Hardy  infifted,  that  the 
like  confidence  ought  to  be  repofed  in  his  judge- 
ment.   The  two  houfes  now      gaged  themfelres  in 
a  difpute,  at  a  time  when,  ot  dl  others,  every  con^ 
tention  fliould  have  been  avoided.     Mr.  Oliver  Dc 
Lancey,  appointed  by  the  houfe  to  provide  the 
fupplies  for  the  regiment  defigned  as  our  quota  to- 
wards the  Crown  Point  expedition,  now  gave  or- 
ders to  ftop  all  farther  preparations,  an  open  rup- 
ture between  the  governor  and  aflcmbly  being  daily 
expedcd.     The  members  began  freely  to  fpeak  a- 
gainft  him.     The  council  laboured  to  procure  an 
alteration  of  the  bill  —  but  all  to  no  purpofe.    The 
principal  thing  aimed  at,  was  the  pafTing  of  the 
debt-bill :  and  a  leading  member  in  the  houfe  plain- 
ly intimated  their  defigns  to  the  governor.  Doubt- 
lefs  your  Lordiliip  will,  wonder  he  did  not  diflblve 

them 


lit . 


St.' 


c  mcm- 

it  came 

at  board 

s  cxpec- 
It   if  the 
ic  a  ne- 
the  for* 
to  ferve 
Jcrfcy 
e  by  Mr. 
that  the 
I  judge- 
felrcs  in 
cry  con^ 
)iiYcrDc 
vide  the 
uota  to- 
gave  or- 
)cn  riip- 
ng  daily 
fpcak  a» 
cure  an 
?.    The 
of  the 
c  plain- 
Doubt- 
diflblve 
them 


I 


(   139   ) 

them  with  indignation.  Believe  m^,  my  Lord,  it 
would  have  been  a  fbep,  at  this  time,  extremely 
unadvifeable.  Forty  days  intcrmilTion  between  the 
tcft  and  return  of  the  writ  of  fummons  for  the  elec- 
tion of  reprclcntatives,  being  required  by  law  -,  the 
public  exigencies  were  tooprcfllng  to  admit  of  any 
delay.  Mr.  De  Lanccy  knew  all  his  advantages : 
4nd  that  Sir  Charles  Hardy  might  be  at  no  lofs  to 
conjcfturc  th»it  the  houfe  was  now  acfling  at  his 
becjk,  nor  himfclf  under  the  neccfTity  of  joining 
with  the  council  againft  the  bill,  abfcnted  himfelf 
from  the  confultations  of  that  board.  The  neiffh- 
bouring  colonics  in  the  mean  time  were  urging  the 
^ifpatch  of  our  preparations  for  opening  the 
campaign.  Reduced  at  length  by  thefe  perplexities, 
he  was  obliged  to  fend  for  his  lieutenant,  and 
give  him  his  promifc  to  pafs  the  favourite  bill 
for  payment  of  the  public  debts.  The  houfe  then 
privately  took  back  the  quota-bill ;  and  after  a  few 
alterations,  the  council  ipalTed  it  on  the  31ft  of 
March.  To  both  of  them  Sir  Charles  gave  his  af- 
fent  the  following  day  :  and  they  were  enrolled  a- 
mong  our  laws.  I  leave  this  aflfair  to  your  Lord- 
(hip's  own  refleflions  -,  obferving  only,  that  from 
this  period,  the  lieutenant  governor's  influence  be- 
came more  apparant  than  before  —  and  that  as  it 
always  was,  fo  it  will  ever  continue  to  be,   his  rul- 

lins: 


1756. 


■1 

■J: 
i 

1; 


m 

iijF, 


n? 


Hi. 


nt 


*  ; 


i 


ii 


iyi* 


W 


}{'■  ■.■ 


from  Er.g- 
]and, 


(    140    ) 

J 756,     ling  pafilon,  and  tlic  grand  engine  of  his  politic^ 
L      ^         ^Q  crufli  or  controul  the  King's  governors  in  this 
province.  ,    \ 

I'liE  pl'.n  of  operations,  concerted  at  New  York 
in  December,  was  a  few  days  after  tranfmittcd  to 
Sir  Thomas  Kobinfon,  to  be  laid  btfore  his  Majef- 
ty,  for  the  royal  approbation.*     Upon  the  arrival 
ot  the  fnfk  veflcls  from  Europe  in  April  following, 
we  were  furpriffd  with  thefe  reirarkable  articles  of 
intelligence  :-— That  the   acftion  at  Lake  George 
Jiad  been  magnified  in  England  into  an  almoft  dc- 
cifive  viclory -- that  Mr.  Johnfon  was  advanced  to 
the  dignity  of  a  baronet,  and  50001.  (lerling  voted 
by  the  commons,  as  a  farther  reward  for  his  great 
fervices '— that  Eyres,  his  engineer,  was  raifed  to 
a  majorlry  -—and  Wraxal,  his  fecretary,  to  the  com- 
jp.and  of  a  company.  To  crown,  in  fine",  the  utmoft 
wlfhes  of  his  adverfirics  ---  that  Mr.  Shirley's  con- 
duft  havinfT  been  entirely  dlfapproved,  his  Majefty 
had  been  plcafed  to  remove  him  from  the  command, 
and  appoint  the  right  hon.  the  Earl  of  Loudon  ge- 
Jr^c!  '  f  ?  neral  of  all  his  forces  in  North  America.  Than  thefc 

r/Ir.biiirli'y  • 


sdverCx.izs 
and  wliy. 


particulars,  nothing  could  have  been  morepleafing 

•  M-.  Powns!  ii-pportuner!  Mr.  Shirley  to  be  n^'de  the  hei-er 
4^f  thele  (^ifpatches.  The  jfreneraJvery  civ.lly  thanked  him  for  the 
r.fiVr  of  h-s  forvice  ;  but  choi'e  rati  er  to  ronfiiic  in  M.-JJor  RutliCr- 
ford  at  fi  Capt  Staats  Morris.  Mr.  Pownall  followed  Toon  after 
^.hein  to  England. 


polidc% 
in  this 

w  York 
It  ted  to 
5  Majef- 
arrlval 
lowing, 
ides  of 
Cacorge 
oft  dc- 
nccd  to 
y  voted 
is  great 
lifed  to 
ic  com- 
iitmoft 
*s  con- 
vlajefly 
imand, 
^on  ge- 
in  thefc 
'leafing 
•        to 

r>  for  d;e 

Rutl.cr- 

lon  after 


'(     14'     ) 

^0  d>f  N"ew  York  cabal ;  as  tliry  were  fiiortly  to  17564 
Tcj\)  the  fiL.ics  of  all  rhafe  calumnies  of  which  they  **— -v— *^. 
b.ii  b'-(iT  tiiC  ori^^inal  authors.  A  change  of  the 
^eaerai  at  once  gratified  their  revenge  and  ambiti- 
OJi,  and  tacilitaicd  rlie  execution  of  an  affair  ear- 
ned'y  lolicitcrJ,  and  greatly  advancivc  of  their  in- 
tcrcil.     )'•■  •    .  '   ;  ,  ■■  ■"„  ■[;,  /:, ,     ^     :'r-;'    ..  /  ' 

I  WILL  not  afKfrr,  that  Ml*.  Shirley  had  yet  re- 
ceived  h'r,  Majcfty's  orders  with  refpcdt  to  the  late 
plan  ot  op  'rations.  1  beVieve  he  had  not —  becaufa 
on  tVie  7'.h  of  Miy  he  arrived  at  Albany,  and  con- 
tinued his  preparations  for  carrying  that  pUn  into 
execution,  untill  the  25th  of  the  month,  when  a 
.council  of  war  was  there  held,  confifting  of  the  fol-  The  general 
lowing  members :  ,/■  aTk'"  ^'   ^ 

'^  «=•  •  .     .  .  Albany,  and 

His  Excellency  the  General.       "•  callsacoun- 

Lieut.  Col.  Gage,  Lieut.  Col.  Burton,  Major  Chap-  ' 

;Cnan,  Major  Sparks,  Sir  Jahfl  St.  Clair,  John  Mon- 

trefor,  Efq;  chief  engineer. 
Mr.  Shirley  laid   before  them  the  minutes  of  the      , 

^  and  ac- 

congrefs  in  December,  and  acquainted  therri  with  quaintstltem 

the  (late  of  affairs.     With  refpcd  to   the  wellcrn  ""''^  '^*  ^ 

*  ruat'.on  or 

expedition,  the  naval  force  upon  the  lake  confided,  afEiiri. 
he  obferved,  of  two  velfels  of  ten  carriage-guns 
.each ;  two  row-gallies,  each  of  ten  fwivels  ;  and 
that  he  had  three  months  before  ifllied  orders  for 
Jauilding  three  other  yeflels,  one  of  eighteen,  ano- 
V  '•  ther 


i 


*, 


■J 


]■ 


'^-.■iM 


1" 


m 


m 


1$ 


«756^ 


.!rr 


■^•W>»« 


(      1+2       ) 

thcr  of  fixtecn,  and  a  thirJ  of  X2  carriage-guns. 
Bcfidcs  which,  there  would  be  250  whale-boats  up- 
, on  the  lake,  eachofthein  capable  of  cuniaining  16 
men.  The  land  forces  then  at  Ofwcgo,  and  on  their 
march  for  preserving  a  free  comtnunicacion  between 
that  place  fi?d  Albany,  v/erc  his  ow^i  and  Pcppc- 
rcH's  regiments,  with  that  railed  and  fupportcd  by 
th?  province  of -New  Jerlcy»  and^i;lic  fowr  iudepend- 
/Cnt  companies  of  NewY^rJc.  As  there  was  a  maga- 
zine of  provifions  and  ftorei  at  the Canajoh^ry  Falls, 
about  25  miles  from  Schcnedady  j  his  cxccUency 
propofed  pofting  there  100  men  out  of  thofe  forces: 
as  many  more  at  the  German  Fiats,  to  fccure  ano- 
'ther  magazine,  guard  the  portage,  and  convoy  the 
provifions  thro*  the  Wood  Creek :  and  as  the  faU 
nearOfwego  occafioned  another  fmall  portage,  a 
fort  was  there  alfo  to  be  erefted,  for  a  garrifon  of 
fifty  men  at  leaft.  It  was,  my  Lord,  of  the  great- 
eft  moment  to  keep  open  the  communication  be- 
tween Albany  and  our  fort  on  the  lake  -,  his  excel- 
lency was  therefore  intent  upon  raifing  four  com- 
panies of  fixty  privates  each,  to  be  employed  in 
fcouting  along  the  pafTage,  and  harrafllng  the  French 
fettlements  between  Frontenac  and  Montreal. 

The  general  gave  them  alfo  an  account  of  the 
flrength  of  Ofwtgo,  when  he  left  it  the  laftfall  — 
adding,  that  he  had  fent  up  Mr.  M 'Keller,  the  en^ 

ginecr 


c-guns. 
)ats  up- 
ling  16 
on  their 

>ctwctn 
Pcppc- 
irtcd  bY 
icpend- 
a  magst- 
ry  Falls, 
QcUcncy 
>  forces: 
are  ano- 
ivoy  the 
the  faU 
rtagc,  a 
rrifon  of 
le  great- 
tion  bc- 
is  excel- 
ur  com- 
oyed  in 
e  French 
eal. 

t  of  the 

111  fall  — 

,  the  enr 

ginecr 


glnccr  in  fccond,  and  Mr.  Sower,  a  practitioner    17^6, 

engineer,    with  orders  to   make   fuch   additional  ' "*    "^ 

works,  ajrShey  fhould  think  neccfTary  for  the  fecu- 
rity  of  that  important  pod.  And  your  Lordfhip 
will  be  pleafcd  to  take  notice,  that  thefe  orders  were 
iflued  very  early  in  March»  before  the  Mohawk  ri- 
ver was  open  ;  and  that  the  engineers  aftually  ar- 
rived at  Ofwcgo  in  April.  At  thcfc  fcveral  garri- 
fons  were  to  b?  depofited  fix  months  provifions  for 
7000  J  and  he  obferved  to  the  council,  that  for  that 
purpofe,  200  whale-boats  and  500  battocs  had  been 
difpatched  from  the  firft  of  April  fince  Schcneflady. 
The  remaining  quantity  would  have  been  tranf- 
fported  by  the  middle  of  July,  had  his  defigns  been 
carried  into  execution. 

As  to  the  provincial  expedition,  he  informed 
them  — w  that  the  troops  voted  by  the  feveral  colo- 
nies amounted  to  8S00  men,  including:  the  officers 
and  garrifons  at  the  forts  Edward  and  William-Hen- 
ry. One,  or  perhaps  two  hundred  Indians  might  be 
cxpe(fled  to  join  them,  befides  a  company  which  his 
excellency  had  raifed  to  harrafs  the  enemy  upon 
Lake  Champlain,  and  procure  intelligence  of  their 
motions  in  Canada ;  and  three  more,  for  the  like 
fervice,  were  intended  to  be  chofen  out  of  the 
whole  force  deftined  for  Crown  Point. 

About  this  time  one  Rogers,  of  NcwHampfhir*,  capt.Ro- 

capt.  g"5,  aa 


r 


I'- 


,4 


wl)ich  (Ke 
gtnejaJ  in 

counc;]. 


(  ^  H4     ) 

'  1 75  6.  capt.  of  a  fanginrr  company,  gave  rrpeatrd  Jr mort'- 
\^..-v  '  llrationi  of  his  activity  in  tlic  ntij^hbourhood  of 
»^ivf  {fTcr,  ^rown  Point.  f!c  made*  iT>»ny  incuifions  iijXin  ihc 
gains  intcllr  ^p^j^y^  fgji  ^j,  ^i^pj.  Icartcrccl  partits,  and  farce  c 

Vcr  returned  to  Fort  Wiliiam-Ucnry,  without  Icalps 
and  prilonfrs.  The  grnerul  took  a  particular  notice 
cf  him  ;  and  he  became  fingularly  lerviLcalile  in  pro- 
curif>g  intfllrgirncf.   By  a  cadet,  v^hom  he  took  on 
the  2o:h  of  M.iy,'  wc  were  informed,  that  the  whole 
number  of  men  at  I'orc  St.  Frederic, Tinondcroge, 
anJata:  advanced  poll,  were  iioo,  compofed  of  the 
regimcntsof  Langufdoc,  the  Queen's  regiment,  two 
companies  of  tl»c  coh^ny  troops,  and  the  militia.  Be- 
fides  theie,  there  were  Indians -,  but  their  numbers 
uncertain  :  that  ac  Tinonderoge  the  Frctfi^      had 
twelve  pieces  of  ordnance  mounted,  unt]  carnages 
preparing  for  an  additional  number-,  but  that  the 
retrenchment  at  |it  the  advanced  poft  was  without 
any  cannon,  Thsfc  troops  wintered  at  Montreal  and 
Ghambly  ;  and  arrived  at  the  fouth  end  of  the  lake 
about  the  middle  of  April,  being  plentifully  ilipplied 
with  provifions  and  military  {lores.-- Thefe  intelli- 
gences the  general  laid  before  his  council ;  and  tlien 
cbfcrved,  that  the  50th  and  51ft  regiments,  the  four 
•independ,epc  companies,  and  the  regiment  of  New 
Je  rrey,were  fcarce  a  third  part  of  the  number  of  troops 
defigncd  by  the  general  plan  for  the  operations  upon 

Lake 


pi, 


Jrmort'- 
hood  of 
\H>n  the 
arcc  f- 
t  Icalps 
r  notice 

in  pro- 
took  on 
e  whole 
Icroge, 
d  of  the 
:nt,  two 
itia.  Be- 
ll m  be  rs 
'  had 
arriagcs 
:hat  the 
without 
real  and 
he  bke 
lipplied 
;  intelli- 
,nd  then 
thefour 
of  New 
if  troops 
ns  upon 

Lake 


(    H5    ) 

Lake  Ontario  :  that  the  provincials  were  alfo  nor  on-    1 7  5  6. 

ly  deficientof  the  complement  thought  neceifiiry  at  * ** — "*'i 

the  congrcfs,  but  even  of  the  number  voted  by  the 
provinces  concerned  in  the  entcrprize  againft  Crown 
Point  I  and  thati,  was  impradicable,  even  with  the 
jun6lion  of  the  l44th  and  48th  regim«?iits,  then  at 
Albany,  to  carry  on  both  the  northern  and  wencrri 
expeditions  at  the  fame  time :  that  he  had  no  dc- 
JDcndance  upon  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  \  Sir 
William  Johnfon  being  unable  to  procure  fcouting 
parties  •,  and  that  upon  this  account  he  propofcd 
raifing  four  companies  for  that  fe.  vice. 

Your  Lordfliip  may  l-.cnce  obfcrve,  what  rrafori 
the  congrefs  In  December  had  for  tl^ir  opinion,  that 
more  troops  were  nect/irary  for  his  M  ijcfty*s  fcrvire 
in  America.  No  reinforcements  being  yet  arrived 
from  England,    for  carrying  the  general  plan  into 
execution,  the  council  were  of  unanimous  opinion  — 
that  I  ■^oo  ought  to  be  polled  at  OfwegOi  50  at  ti.e  f  !,».;(•  i^^^, 
tails,  200  at  the  Oneida  Carrying-Flacc%  150  at  the  "'*  "^'and  r 
German  Flatts,  and  as  many  more  at  the  Conejo^     •"^* 
Karv  Falls,  They  advifed  therefore,  —that  the  i"  ,^k 
and  5 1  ft,  and  the  New  Jcrfey  regiments*,  t^,,.j, 


U  fall 


pendents,  and  the  North  Carolina  p^ovjnci." 

which  amounted  to  about  200f)  ttitn')  (hnn^  a  i- 

/  ^^^""'^'.kCi:  be  em- 
ployed in  that  fervice.  The  4  ith  and  j.^'  *k  -«  • 
^  /  ^t-         ^'+^«-n'egmienis, 

\Vith  the  colony  troops,  were  thouffh  f  A, ^.-.^  ^ 

'        *  o  't*unuicnr  ore- 

T 

duce 


til,) 


a'  <T 


\h 


l<i,i ' 


■>,tJ, 


H;; 

it;' 


Ifel 


Bi' 


':?;>;  J 


"V 


(146     )  -  - 

ducc  Crown  Point.  Accordingly,  they  recommend- 
ed tfieir  jiin(flion  :  advifing,  however,  that  the  re- 
gulars Ihoiild  continue  for  a  time  in  their  encamp- 
menr,  at  Albany.   --The  ranging  companies,  pro- 
pofcd  by  the  general,  were  highly  approved  •,  and 
the  railing  of  others  (Irongly  recommended.   They 
alfo  concurred  with  him  in  icntimenc— •  that  a  road 
ought  to  be  made  from  the  German  Flatts  to  Ofwe- 
go:  and  declared,  it  appeared  to  them  very  necef- 
fary  to  ftrenp^thsn  Fort  Edward,  and  ered  another 
at  the  South  Bay.     The  former  was  a  depofit  for 
ftorcs,  and  at  the  concurrence  ot  all  the  routes  from 
Crown  Point  to  Albany.  The  latter  would  corr.mand 
the  route  taken  by  baron  DIefkau  for  his  defigned 
attack  upon  Fort  Edward  —  a  route  thro'  which  in- 
curfions  were  frequently  made  upon  cui  northern 
frontier.  A  fort  at  the  South  Bay  was  conceived  re- 
quifite,  to  cover  our  convoys  of  provifions  for  the 
northern  expedition  from  the  .Mfults  of  the  enemy, 
who  in  flying  parties  infelled  the  paflage  from  Al- 
bany to  '*  William-He'iry.  The  propriety  of  this  ad- 
vice, my  Lord,  muft  be  evident  to  every  man  of  a 
tolerable  acquaintance  with  the  country  ^  and  thcfe 

were 

*  For  the  building;  of  a  fcrt  at  South  Bay,  preparations  were 
making  when  Mr.  Shirley  refj^ncd  the  comniahd  cfthG  ariny  : 
but  the  work  has'iince  been  negleded;  and  the  paffage  from  Fort 
Edwaid  tT  our  camp  at  William-Henry,  infefted  all  this  lum- 
mer,  anJ,  many  of  our  people  cut  off,  is  was  foicfeea  by  this 
council. 


ill,  J  »t. 


(     H7) 


mmcnd- 
t  the  rc- 
;ncamp- 
cs,  pro- 
d ;  and 
.    They 
t  a  road 
o  Ofwc- 
y  necef- 
another 
)orit  for 
tes  from 
irr.mand 
IcTigned 
hicli  in- 
lorthern 
ivcd  re- 
fer the 
enemy, 
om  Al- 
thisad- 
lan  of  a 
id  thcfe 
were 

)ns  were 
e  armv  : 
om  Fort 
ii;'<  fum- 
by  this 


were  the  very  fentiments  which  theg'^neral  repeat-    17^6. 
cd'y  communicated  to  Sir  William  Johnfon,  in  his,  ^^ — ^      ' 
letters,  iifcer  the  adion  at  Lake  George  ;  which  were 
then  flighted  by  the  cabal,  who  ftudioufly  oppofcd 
him  in  all  his  meafures. 

Thus  I  have  Ihevven  your  Lordfiiip  the  reaP^ns 
why  the  general  plan  contiiiued  to  be  unexecuted, 
till  the  futingr  of  this  lail  cjuncil  of  wxr.   Mr.  Shir- 
ley,  however,  in  hopes  of  the  arrival  or  the  expect- 
ed reinforcements,  and  loth  to  be  diverted  from  his 
favourite  defigns  upon  Lake  Ontario,  continued  to 
throw  large  quantities  of  provifions  and  flores  into 
Scheneflady,  and  all  the  magazines  between  that 
place  and  Ofwego.  This,  it  was  fuppofed,  was  done     ... 
to  induce  his  luccefTor,  from  thefe  ample  fupplies, 
to  atft  upon  this  quarter-,  it  being  univerfally  ima- 
tlined,  that  Crown  Point  was  now  become  the  miin 
cbjefl  of  the  miniftry.     Till  the  arrival  of  General 
Webb  on  the  7th  of  June,  this  was  only  conjedure, 
and  general   report.  The  effeds  of  the  mifrepre- 
ientations  of  American  aff.u:.  in  England,  then  be- 
came evident  to  all  •,  for  the  flores  hid  in  at  Schc- 
neclady  were  now  reconveyed  to   A^lbany  for  the 
northern  expedition  ;  and  freOi  clamours  excited  a- 
gainil  Mr.  Shirley,  for  his    fupplies   towards    the  ^^i^^  Ge. 
wellern  operations,     On  the  J5th  of  June,  Ma]or  crombie 

General  Abercromlie  landed  at  New  York  ;   and  ^"^"^^  **^<= 

■  >    •     ■     •     ■  '       ■  command  of 

ten  tkc  arm/. 


f 


r.' 


V' 


:  <■ 


u 


:l 


M 


.1 


k" 


11 


,"i 


i 


lit 


«■ 

i:i-' 


!'* 


i' 


1756. 


Sir  Wniiam 
Johnf^n 
hoi  is  a  con- 
ftrcrcc  at 
Onondaga. 


C    148    ) 

ten  days  after  at  Albany;  where  he  immediarcly 
took  upon  himfelf  the  command  of  the  army.  Shir- 
Icy  continued  there  ho  longer  than  to  deliver  over 
to  the  new  general  the  proper  returns,  and  comrhu- 
nicatc  fuch  information  as  appeared  neccllary,  with 
refped  to  the  prefcnt  fituation  of  affairs.  ■' ' 
fl  The  whole  force,  of  which  General  Abercrombic 
row  took  the  command,  confifted  of  the  44th,  48th, 
50th,  and  51  ft  regiments,  four  independent  ccni- 
panjes,  the  New  Jerfey  regrment,  four  companies 
raifed  by  the  province  of  North  Carolina,  Oiway's, 
and  the  Highland  regim.ents,*  and  the  provincial 
forces  deAined  againft  Crown  Point.'  '  •  '  •  • 
Instructions  had  be,en  given  to  Sir  William 
Johnfon,  to  procure  a  large  body  ®f  the  Six  Nations^, 
to  join  in  any  attempt  that  might  be  made  upon  the 
Lake  Cniario  ,  and  to  engage  106  mjore,  forthe  af- 
fiflance  of  the  provihcial  army.  *  To  cffedl  which, 
he  was  then  holding  a  conftrence  with  the  deputies 
of  the  Six  Cantons  at  Onondaga  ;  from  whence  he 
was  to  proceed  immediately  to  Ofwego.'  Mr.  Shir- 
ley had,  befides,  railed  a  company  of  Indians  from 
Stockbridge,  to  be  employed  in  ranging  the  v;ood« 
between  Fort  William-Henry  and  Montreal  :  and 
♦hat  his  Majefly*s  fervice  upon  Lake  Ontario  might 

•  be 

•  TJiefe  two  regiments  anived  with  him,  and  confificd  of 
about  Qoo  men. 


•diatcly 
.  Shir- 
er  over 

Dmrhu- 
^,  with 


■■'.-♦ 


rombie 
i,48tli, 
\t  cciri- 
jpanies 
tway's, 
)viilcid 

Villiam 
lations^ 
3on  the 
the  af- 
vvhicH, 
eputi^s 
nee  he 


Shir- 


s  from 
Vi^ood* 
I  :  and 
might 
b^ 

ififlcd  of 


(    149    ) 

be  free  from  the  ob(lru(flions,  by  which  it  had  been    17^6. 
the  year  betore  greatly  cmbarraffed,  he  had  inlifted    ''     '^ — "^ 
40  companies  of  battocmen,  each  of  50  men,  a^^*"'/^*""* 

.  psniesofbat* 

captain  and  an  afTiltant,  for  tranfportmg  Itores  and  toe  men 
provifjons  to  OlVe^o.     Thefe  were  put  under  the  raifed,  and 

*  "  ^  their  great 

direction  of  capt.  Bradftreet,  an  acftivc  vigilent  ofB-  ufefulnefs. 

ccr,  inured  to  the  hardfhips  to  which  that  fervice 
ineviteably  expofed  him.  This,  tho'  one  of  the  moll 
judicious  meafures  that  could  have  been  taken,  was 
made  the  fubjedl  of  low  invcLllve.  The  faiHiion  at 
New  York  laboured  to  reprefcnt  it  as  a  proje(5l  to 
involve  the  Crown  in  a  needlefs  expence  :  bu;  t'mc 
has  given  the  fulleft  evidence  of  the  propriety  of 
this  ftep;  and  proper  it  will  appear  to  your  Lord- 
fhip,  before  the  conclufion  of  this  letter.  Geneul 
Shirley  wifely  forfaw,  that  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions, whatever  influence  over  them  Sir  William 
Johnfon  might  pretend,  could  n^r  be  engaged  c- 
•ven  to' protect  the  King's  troops  in  l  -  pafTage  thro* 
their  own  country ;  and  that  unlefs  the  communi- 
cation w^s  kept  open  to  Ofwego,  nothing  could  be 
cifeflcd  upon  the  Lake,  nor  the  garrifon  itfelf  pre- 
ferved  from  falling  i,ito  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Accordingly,  no  fooner  did  the  fpring  open,  than  4  ^^jj  - 
a  little  blockaded  pod,  with  25  men,  at  the  Carry.  ->^o^  J"  ^^^ 
ing-Place,  in  the  very  center  of  the  Oneida  country  tll.'^"  ^°""" 
was  cut  off;  the  Oncidas  themfelves  being  unqucf- 

tionabl^ 


^ 


I    \' 


w 


r 

I'      r*     ■ 

I' 
I 


I 


'1!i- 


fr 


Jn  vvi 


(     150     ) 

'75^'  tionably  concerned  in  the  maflacre.  Nothing  could 
,  »  fecnre  us  ugainft  the  repetition  of  thefe  infults,  but 
pafTing  thro' the  country  with  large  fquadrons  of 
battoes  :  and  to  facilitate  the  tranfportation,  Mr. 
o  Shirley,  who  canvafed  every  expedient  for  the  pre- 
fervation  of  Ofwego,  employed  a  working  party  of 
80  men,  under  a  direcflor,  to  remove  the  obflruc- 
tions  in  the  Wood  Creek ;  by  this  means,  the  por- 
tage from  the  Mohawks  Riverjacrols  the  great  Car- 
rying-Place, was  reduced  from  eight  miles  to  one. 
Nordidheomit  obferving  to  his  fuccefTor,  that  an 
attempt  upon  Niagara  was  of  the  laft  importance; 
the  lofsor  prefervation  of  our  Indians  depending  up- 
on the  fuccefs  of  the  operations  on  Lake  Ontario. 
Relative  to  the  Crown  Point  expedition,  he  re- 
commended the  march  of  part  of  the  army,  in  a  new 
difcovered  route,  on  the  well  fide  of  Lake  George, 
to  the  enemv's  advanced  works,  five  miles  fliort  of 
Tinonderoge.  Which  being  carried,  the  heavy  ar- 
tillery and  flores  might  be  there  landed,  and  tranf- 
ported  thro*  a  road  to  Tinonderoge  and  Fort  Fre- 
deric: and  after  the  rerludlon  of  thofe  FortrefTcs, 
he  advifed  General  Abercrombie  immediately  to 
conflrud  arm.cd  velTels,  to  fecure  the  command  of 
Governor       Lake  Champlain.  : 

Sharpe's  de-     ^^^^^  Lordll^iip  may  remember,  that  an  attempt 

figned  at-  i  J  '  a 

tempt  on       v.'as  prcpoied,  at  the  congrefs  in  December,  againll 

Fort  Dii 

Quefne  fails.  -rO^t 


ould 
,  but 
ns  of 
Mr. 
:  pre- 
ty  of 
Iruc- 
:  por- 
tCar- 
)  one. 
lat  an 
:ance; 
igup- 
itario. 
here- 

anew 
eorge, 
lort  of 
ivy  ar- 
tranf- 
t  Fre- 
reflcs, 
cly   10 
and  of 

ttempt 
a  gain  ft 
Fort 


(    151    ) 

Fort  Du  Quefne,  with  an  army  of  3000  provincials,     j  -  -  g 

Gov.  Sharpe  was  to  have  comnianded  in  that  enter-  » — .^ ^ 

prize  •,  but  there  remained  now  no  hopes  of  its  pro- 
fecution.  Vircrinia  chofc  to  be  entirely  upon  the  dc- 
fenfive.— -  Maryland  was  wholly  inactive  ;  her  fron- 
tier being  covered  by  the  adjoining  provinces -»•- 
and  as  to  Fennfyivania,  {he  raifed  indeed  1500  men, 
but  only  wirh  a  viv.nv  to  prote6t  her  out-farms-,  nor 
probably  woul.l  thus  fir  have  confulted  her  own 
fafety,  but  for  die  daily  murders  and  horrid  cruel- 
ties perpetrated  upon  her  borders.      •       >  •    -  • 

With  refped  to  the  circumdances  of  Indian  af-  ^ircum- 
fairs  to  the  northward -—While  Mr.  Shirley  was  at  dances  ofln- 
OlArego,  and  upon  his  retiir.i,  as  I  before  obferved  to  thenonh- 
to  your  Lordfhip,  he  propofed  to  the  Senecas,Ca-  ^' 
yugas,  Onondagas,   and  Oneidas,  the  erecfbioa  of 
fmall  forts  for  the  proteftion  of  their  refpecliive  caf- 
tles.     The  two  laft  tribes  confented,  defirino-  alio, 
that  the  forts  might  be  mounted  with  cannon  :  and 
the  Tufcoraras  afterwards  fent  deputies  to  him,  with 
the  like  rcqueft  :  —  the  Scnecas  and  Cayngas  had 
alfo  lately  fignilied  their  acquiefcence  to  Sir  VViiHani 
Johnfon  •,  and  the  general  tranfmittcd  him  the  plan 
of  a  fort,  direfling  the  profecution  of  the  work  with 
all  pofiible  difpatch,  as  a  mod  efFedual  means  to  (c* 
cure  the  Indian  country  to  his  Majefliy. 

Before  Mr.  Shirley  left  Of'-vfrgo  the  lallyrar,  he 
^  propofed 


1! 


nr 


^'• 


I' fit 


P:' 


Pr! 


H 


i'/56j 


Situation  of 
our  afFiirs 
with  the 
loutheren  In«r 


(     '52     ) 

pfopofcd  to  the  Six  Natioris,  their  convening  this 
fummer,  in  a  grand  council  iher^*,  the  Indians  on 
the  north  fuic  of  Lake  Ontario,  and  round  I.ak« 
Erie,  to  confult  their  common  inreftft,  and  main- 
tain a  corrcfponder.cf^  b;/  anrna'  councils  at  Ofwe- 
go.  And  to  draw  ofT  the  U'<cr  from  their  attjtch- 
mcnt  to  the  French,  recornm^nded  to  the  Six  Na- 
tions their  concurrence^  in  opening  a  free  trade 
with  the  foreign  Indians,  at  the  entrance  of  the  O- 
nondaga  river,  upon  terms  more  advantageous  to 
all  the  Indians,  than  any  hitherto  purfued.  This 
fpring  Sir  William  Johnfon  informed  his  excellen- 
cy, that  the  Six  Nations  were  extremely  well  pleal'-^ 
cd  with  the  projefls  relating  both  to  the  trade  at 
Ofwego,  and  the  conftruflion  of  forts  in  their  can- 
tons. To  accelerate  the  latter,  the  general  fupplied 
him  with  5000 1.  fterling,  in  addition  to  5000  L  ad- 
vanced to  him  by  General  Braddock  :  and  yet,  my 
Lord,  he  was  conftrained  to  eonfcfs,  in  a  fubfequent 
*  letter,  that  unlefs  his  excellency  could  engage  fe- 
veral  companies  of  rangers,  he  dtfpaired  of  the 
prefervation  even  of  a  free  pafTage  thro*  their  coun- 
try :  and  whether  he  has  to  this  day  built  a  fmgic 
fort,  as  the  general  propofed,  I  have  not  been  able 
after  much  inquiry,  to  difcover. 

Equally  unpromifing  was  the  fituation  of  our 

itfTairs 

•   10  May,   J/^6. 


icy 
IlWi 
thei 
Sir 


g^' 


f 


g  this 

>.ns  on 

I.ak« 
main- 

Ofwe- 
ut2lch- 
,x  Na- 
i  trade 
the  O- 

ous  to 
This 
:cellcn- 
1  pleal-i 
rade  at 
bir  can- 
jpplied 
)1.  ad- 
/et,  my 
fequent 
^age  fe- 
of  the 
ir  coun- 
a  finglc 
en  able 


of  oi^r 
affairs 


(.  153    ),. 

jifPairs  with  the  foiuherft  Indians.     Some  hopes  iri-    ircO, 

deed  were  entertained  of  the  fi-lv^lit/  of  the  Chero-  ^— ^^ 

kees  —  a  people. warlike  and  powcrftil;  in  nhofe 
territories  the  Virginians  were  erectins-  a  f  )rtrefs. 
The  Shawanefe  never thcltrfs  continued  thrir  irrup- 
tions into  that  province  :  and  G  ive-inor  Dinv/iddie 
W3».  obhgcd  to  draft  the  militia,  to  opp  jfe  their 
progrefs,  and  preferve  the  tov;n  of  Winchefler. 
Thefe  Indian«5  alfo,  with  the  Sufqvifhanas  and  De- 
lawareSj-  corhmitced  fequent  horiilities  npon  tlie 
Pennfylvanians.  Governor  Morris,  for  the  protec- 
tion of  the  country,  carried  a  line  of  forts  on  the 
weft  fide  of  the  Kittatiny  mountolns,  all  along  the 
extended  frontier  of  that  colony,  from  Delav/are  to 
the  river  Potowmac.  The  government  of  New  Jer- 
fcy  proceeded  even  to  declare  war  againfc  the  De- 
laware Indians  •,  and  would  have  penetrated  into 
their  fettlements,  had  no:  afiurances  been  lent  by 
Sir  William  Johnfon  from  the  council  at  Ononda- 
ga, that  theDeliwares  arid  Shawanefe,  in  obedience 
to  the  Six  Nations,  were  under  rcnev/ed  and  pofitive 
engagements,  to  refrain  from  any  farther  outrages 
upon  the  fouthcrn  frontiers.  If  any  iuch  promiies 
were  really  made,  'tis  certain  they  were  immediately 
broken,  many  of  our  inhabitanxs  having  (Ince  been 
murdered  and  captivated  by  tlie  lavages  of  thofc 
very  tribes.    Whence  we  may  fairly  conclude,  thaX.' 

U  either 


MBt-> 

V 

( 

LP      '      '  f 

«' 

; 

.11  1) 


y 


Sir  W.llu  a 
Johnf'-Ti's 
condurt 
cotifKiereJ . 


v^'ra 


'ii 


C     154     ) 

f  y  r  6,     either  the  Six  Nations  connived  at  thefc  infra(5lions 

■ '  of  their  commands ;  or  that  their  uncicnt  fovercign- 

ty  is  become  t!ie  contempt  of  their  tributaries.  In 
fad,  my  Lord,  the  matter  is  (liUworfe.  Too  muth 
realon  is  there  to  believe  the  truth  of  both  thefc  al^ 
terniitivfs.  '  *       •  -►,'•..   -     t 

1  INFORMED  your.  Lordfliip,  that  Sir  William 
Johnlbn  was  ordered  to  proceed  from  Onondaga  to 
Ofwcgo,  with  as  many  Indians  as  could  be  pcrfuad- 
ed  to  march  with  him  ♦,  not  only  for  the  more  ef- 
fe(ftual  [  rcfervation  of  that  pofl,  but  to  execute  the 
plan  which  Gen.  Shirley  had  conceited,  for  the 
eftablifhmentof  an  annual  council  there,  with  thofe 
Indians  who  had  been  Ions:  in  the  French  interell, 
and  fecmcd  ready  to  liften  to  prcpofals  for  an  alli- 
ance with  us.  It  was  expedient,  my  Lord,  that  he 
'fliould  have  complied  with  thefe  inilrudions,  nay  it 
was  his  duty;  but  no  fooner  was  he  acquainted  with 
Mr.  Shirley's  refignation  of  the  command  of  the  ar- 
my, than  he  returned  from  Onondagi  to  Albany,  at 
the  head  of  about  6o  Indians  \  leaving  Ciipt.  Patrcn 
with  his  company  of  grenadiers,  to  wander  thro'  a 
forlorn  wilderhefs,  in  fearch  of  Ofwego.  Whether 
this  inflance  of  his  condu(ft  was  not  intended  to  raife 
his  reputation  with  the  new  general,  as  a  leading 
man  among  the  Indians,  I  leave  to  your  Lordfhip's 
conje^^ure.  By  arte  like  thefe,  he  acquired  his  In- 
.    .    ^  '  '  dian 


., 


n 


fra(ftions 
vcrcign- 
rics.  In 
DO  much 

thefc  al*- 

:   -i ,  ■,  ■  .    , 

William 
idaga  to 
pcrfuad- 
norc  cf- 
cnte  the 
for  the 
:h  thofe 
interciV, 
an  alii- 
that  he 
!,  nay  it 
:ed  with 
'the  ar- 
)any,  at 
.  Patten 
thro'  a 
/hethcr 
to  raife 
leading 
rdlhip's 
his  In- 
dian 


(     '55     )'       •  . 

dian  fame:  and  the  influence  of  the  faction  at  New 
York  fo  powerfully  fuftained  it,  that  few  pcrfons 
doubted  his  ability  to  procure  feveral  hundered  war- 
riors for  our  anfiftance,  though  every  day  exliiblred 
frclh  proots  of  their  melancholy  deleftion.  Beiides 
thedeftruction  of  our  pod  in  the  very  country  of 
the  Oncidas  mentioned  before,  thv*  enemy  iniefted' 
the  parts  about  Ofwego,  and  the  whole  palfuTe  thi- 
ther, without  the  Icall  oppofition  from  the  Six  Na- 
tions. Alarms  indeed  were  fiequently  given  of  the 
approach  of  their  flying, parties  •,  and  ic  was  obicrv- 
able,  that  Sir  William  Johnfon,  on  thole  occafions, 
as  Colonel  of  the  county,  raifcd  the  militia  of  Alba- 
ny, and  proceeded  to  the  fpot  j  tho' every  man  ac- 
quainted with  Indians  well  knows,  that  of  all  places, 
thcfe  are  the  molt  unlikely  fv)r  finding  the  enemy. 
By  fuch  fliani  expeditions  have  our  northern  inha- 
bitants been  impoveriflied  and  diftrefied :  nor  c.Quld 
they  anfwer  any  other  end,,tnan  to  raifc  a  bruit  thro' 
the  colonies  •,  and  with  parade  and  oftentation  fet 
the  gazetteers  upon  founding  his  applaufe.  —  Even 
in  thefc  wild  romantic  cxcurfions,  but  few  Indians 
attended  him  :  and  yet  if  we  credit. our  news  writ- 
ers, hundreds  were  in  his  train. 

Mr.  Shirley  had  fcarce  refigncd  the  command 
:o  Major  General  Abercrombie,  when  the  good  tff- 
fecl'Of  L."\e  battoe  fervice  became  fo  irrefiftably  evi- 


1756.: 


l\. 


I'  I 


Si 


(     'S^    ) 

1756.  dcnr,  that  his  very  enemies  rc:ollc(fled  their  Ujri- 

'       ^      '  grounded  calumnies  with  fhame  and  confiifion.  — - 

Account  of  I  allude,  my  Lord,  to  the  a6lion  between  the  P>ench 

^;^.'*"'*"'  and  our  battce-men,  on  the  3d  c  t  July.   Stnf.ble  of 

adtion  of  our  ^  j  j      j 

h:n  »4  men  the  importance  of  Ofwego,  the  enemy  collc(flcd 
V  ^>rt  "^f "  themfelves  about  the  latter  end  of  May  in  a  larcc 
body,  not  many  miles  to  the  eaftward  of  that  i^ar- 
rifon  ;  from  whence  detachments  were  perpetually 
fent  out  to  fall  upon  our  workmen,  and  infcft  the 
palfage  thro*  the  Onondaga  River.  Capt.  Sradftrcet* 
who  had  the  direcftion  of  the  battoes,  was  apprized 
that  fmall  parties  liay  in  ambufh,  waiting  a  favour- 
able opportunity  to  attack  him.  Accordingly,  when 
he  left  Ofwego,  he  ordered  the  feveral  divifions  to 
proceed  as  near  each  other  as  pofTiblc :  but  io  nu- 
merous and  irregular  a  body  could  noc  without  dif- 
ficulty be  kept  to  any  tolerable  order.  He  was  at 
the  head  of  about  300  battoe-men,  in  the  firll  divi, 
fion,  upon  his  return  to  Schenecflady ;  and  about 
nine  miles  from  Ofwego,  when  the  enemy,  who  were 
700  ftrong,  rofe  from  their  ambufcade,  and  fired 
upon  his  front.  Near  the  place  of  attack,  was  a  fmall 
ifland,  by  which  the  enemy  might  cafily-  have  ford- 
ed the  river.  Br3d{lreet  in  an  inftant  landed  upon 
the  ifland,  to  prevent  being  inclofed  between  two 
fires  •,  and  with  fix  men  maintained  his  poffeflion, 
^  bravely  repelling  twenty  of  the  enemy,  who  attempt- 

ed 


[ 


it 


heir  u^- 
Lilion.  --- 
c  French 
nfblc  of 
collcflcd 
\  a  large 
hat  s^ar- 
rpctually 
nfcfl:  the 
raciftrcet' 
apprized 
a  favour- 
l\y,  when 
vifion^i  to 
Lit  io  nu- 
thoutdif- 
le  was  at 
firll  divi. 
ihd  about 
who  were 
and  fired 
as  a  fmall 
lave  ford- 
jed  upon 
ween  two 
joffeflion, 
•  attempt- 
ed 


(       157       ) 

cd  to  fcizc  thar  a  Ivanta^^eous  pofl.  He  was  thsri  re-  i  y  c6. 
inforccd  with  lir  others ;  jlivA  even  compelled  a  fe-  * — -^'" — 
C');id  party  of  40  French  10  give  vr^y.  Rtiraged  at 
this  fhameful  dir.jp[)niiunienr,  the  enemy,  to  the 
number  of  yo  men,  thouv^hi  proper  to  make  a  third 
attempt ;  but  the  batC(K--men,  who  did  not  exceed 
20,  with  redoubled  bravery  dill  kept  their  ground, 
and  again  forctil  thrir  advcrfaries  to  retiru.  During 
thefe  fkirmilhcs,  which  lafted  near  an  hour,  the  bat- 
toe-men  in  the  rear  landed,  without  lofs  or  confu-- 
fion,  upon  the  louth  fide  of  the  river.  Four  hun- ' 
dred  of  the  enemy  now  advanced  up  the  north  fide 
©ftheflream,  intendiniT  to  ford  it  about  a  mile 
higher,  and  furround  us.  Bradftreet,  aware  of  the 
^effgn,  left  the  ifland,  and  with  200  men  marc^hed 
on  :.he  other  fide  to  oppofe  them.  But  they  had  ac- 
tually forded  over,  before  he  came  up,  and  pofted 
themfelves  in  a  fwamp.  Dr.  Kirkland,  with  the  fe- 
cond  divifion  of  battoes,  was  now  advancing  to  his 
affiflance  •,  but  Bradilreet  ord  ;red  him,  and  Capt. 
Butlf^r,  who  commanded  the  third  divifion,  to  keep 
their  polls,  and  cover  the  battoes  in  the  rear.  Be- 
ing arrived  at  the  fwamp,  an  engagement  enfued  in 
the  Indian  manner  of  fighting,  and  continued  above 
an  hour  with  dubious  fuccefs.  Eradftreet,  at  lenf^th 
animating  his  men,  ruHied  into  the  thicket  thro' 
twice  his  number,  and  galhmtly  pufhed  them  into 

the 


i. 


,!-• 


ir:. 


m 


(     'S8     ) 

1756.  the  river,  where  many  of  them  pcrilhcJ.  Am  m.t 
— — v-.-^  attempt  was  made,  in  the  mean  time,  to  fori;  : 
river  a  little  higher  •,  but  thofc  being  alfo  repiii  -  , 
the  whole  parry  was  intircly  routed  ard  difpci  !  1., 
Just  after  the  defeat,  Capt.  Patten,  with  his  -  - 
naditrs  from  Cno;idaga,  ftli  in  with  our  b.itr  >.•.«  v 
and  the  next  morning  a  reinforcement  of  200  ner* 
came  up  from  the  garrifon  :  and  but  for  the  :.'iircl 
five  rains,  which  began  foon  after  the  a^iior>,  ?j\[ 
continued  2U  the  next  day,  thefe  brave  batcoc-rn'r.i 
would  probably  have  cut  off  the  whol';:  ^.nty.  [  iai 
Sir  William  Johnfon,  as  was  expect. er,  Tccrpani- 
cd  Capt.  Patten  to  Ofwego,  with  the  Indians  from 
Onondaga,  Bradftrect  might  have  made  immediate 
porfuit,  and  many  of  the  enemy  m.uit:  have  been 
overtaken:  but  this  pacific  plenipotentiary  was  tl:en 
haftening  to  Albany  (a  fafcr  fituation)  with  the  im- 
portant minutes  of  his  late  conference.  A  confer- 
ence full  of  afFc<5lionatc  Indian  fpecches,  and  large 
promifcs  of  ihvr  afTiflance-,  when  fcarcc  a  man  of 
them  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  turn  out  of  his  hut 
for  the  defence  of  the  common  caufe.  Bradflrect 
had  but  three  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  with  him 
at  this  attack.  Of  thefc,  one  took  to  his  heels  -,  a 
fccond  fought  bravely;  but  the  third  went  over  to 
the  eneajy,  and  aflifted  in  pointing  out  our  officers. 
In  thefe  fevcral  actions  wc  had  about  30  men  killed 

and 


I 


it  ^ 


to 


Bradffreet 
gives  in- 


(    159    ) 

»nd  wounded.  How  many  of  the  French  were  flain,    175^* 

is  not  certainly    known*,  tho*  it   is  generally  faid,      "^^' 

ihcy  bll  about  120.  Eighty  arms  were  brought  to 

Schcncdady  •,  an  J  about  70  men  found  in  the  woods,        ^ 

and  carried  to  Ofwcp-o.  The  F'-ench  fled  in  the  ut- 

moll  difordcr :  and  fome  of  their  regular  foldiers, 

being  Grangers  to  the  country,   got  bewildered  in 

the  dcfart,  Jnd  prriflivd  for  want  of  fullenance. 

Bradstreet  arrived  at  Schenectady  on  the  t  ith 

of  July;  and  the  next  day  acquainted  General  Abef-  telligmce  of 

^   ,      ^  ,        the  cncmy'i 

crombic  at  Albany  of  the  llate  of  Ofwego. -- That  ^^f^^^  ^Q^^, 

he  learnt  from  his  prifoners,  the  French  were  pre-  tackOfWe. 
preparing  to  attack  it,  having   1200  men  for  that 
purpofe  encamped  not  far  from  the  eaflcrnmofl:  fort. 
Upon  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence,  orders  were 
ilVued  to  Major  General  Webb,  to  hold  himfelf  in 
rcadinefs  to  march  for  its  defence  with  the  44th  re- 
giment.    My  Lord,  Mr.  Shirley  had,  feveral  days 
before*,  advifed  General  Abcrcromble  to  reinforce 
that  garrifon  with  -f  two  battalians  at  leaft  :  artd  they 
might  have  marched  immediately,  as  Bradftrect  was 
^eady  to  convoy  the  troops,  and  every  magazine,  a- 
long  the  paflfage,  plentifully  fupplied  with  provifi- 
ons.     But  not  to  anticipate  my  ftory  •, 

Mr? 

*  On  the  26th  of  June,  the  day  after  he  wag  fuperfeded. 

•\-  Such  a  reinforcement  could  eifily  hive  been  fp:irei  fur  that 
purpcjfc,  Otway's  and  the  Higbl&nd  regiment  being  now  land- 
ed at  Albany.  And  that  this  necefTiry  ftep  mi^ht  rot  be  ob- 
ftruded,  General  Shirley  had,  before  their  arr'.val,  dilpatchcd 
an  exprefs  to  Ofwego,  ordering  Bradftrcst  toquickcA  his  retufQ 
to   Schcnedady. 


y:: 


I 

fe'i 


I*  .  ■ 


1^ 


17^6,        Mr.  Shirley  arrived  at  New  York  on  tlie  4tfi 
»       ^    «.   Qf  J^JJy^  and  tvaited  the  arrival  of  w.y  J^ord  l^oudon, 
Lord  Lou-     "who  landed  there  on  the  23d  of  that  month,  with 
don  arrives.    ^^^  Pownal  in  hrs  r-ain:  but  in  what  charafter  the 
latter  returned  a  fccond  time  from  England,  v/as  a' 
fubjeifl  of  dQLibtfui  conjevflnre.—  Mis  Lordfliip,  re- 
gardlcfs  of  his  eafe,   and   the  fatigues  of  a  tedious 
voyage,  tarried  there  but  three  days  •,  and  on  the 
29th  of  July  reached  his  head  quarters  at  Albany 
when  he  took  upon  himiclf  the  command  of  the 
army. 

The  garrifon  of  Ofwego  confificd  now  of  1406 
men,  and  about  300  workmen  and  failcrs.  Four 
hundred  and  eighty-five  were  pofted,  in  fmall  par- 
McSj  between  that  place  and  Burnet's  Field,  to  main- 
tain an  open  pafTagc  thro'  the  coantry  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions. The  44th  and  48th  regiments  at  Albany  and 
Schenedlady,  with  the  Britifli  troops  juft  arrived, 
confided  now  of  26^)0  men  ;  and  the  provincials, 
under  the  command  of  General  Winfiow,  were  a- 
bout  7000,  and  ready  to  march  from  Fort  WilHam- 
Henry.-—  Of  the  naval  force  of  Ofwego,  I  have  al- 
ready given  your  Lordfhip  an  account :  and  as  to 
the  flrength  of  the  enemy  atTinonderoge  and  Crown 
Point,  according  to  the  lateft  intelligence  obtained  by 
Capt.  llogers,  they  did  not  then  exceed  3000  men. 
From  his  Lordfhip's  knov;n  abilities  for  war,  the 

colonies 


Our  prefcnt 
force,  and 
that  of  the 
French. 


' 


tiie  4tfi 
.oudon, 
h,  with 
fter  the 
,  %vas  a 
liip,  re- 
tedious 
on  the 
Albany 
I  of  the 

of  1406 
Four 
all  par- 
6  main- 
Six  NV 
any  and 
arrived, 
/incials, 
were  a- 
VilHam- 
hare  al- 
id  as  to 
d  Crown 
aincdby 
00  men. 
war,  the 
coloRies 


(       361       ) 

colonics  were  in  great  hopes,  that  norvvirhflanding    1 75 6. 

the  delay  of  the  Hvciih  reinforcement^;,  lljitie  coup  ^ ""      *^ 

d' eclat  would  very  Ipeodily   be  Ilruck   ii  Crown 
Point.     ButaUs!  while  we  we^-e  intent  upon  this 
favou.ite   defign,  tlic  enemy  were  bending   their 
tn.iin  force,  not  to  oppofe  us  at  Tinonderoge,   buc 
to  fecure  what  was  to  them  a  matter  of  much  more 
importance,  J.  mean  the  exclufivc  dominion  of  the    . 
great  Lakes—  Accordingly,  thty  laid  ficge  to  O"  ^ai^'^^Whe 
fwego  J  and  after  two  or  three  days  conteiT,  obliged  Frei.ch,  and 
the  garrifon,  on  the  14th  ot  Aliguir,    to  iurrtnder  maHfp.irua- 
themfclves  prifjners  of  war.     This  melancholy  ac-  ^'"-'^^  ^v**'^* 
count  was  firft  brought  to  Alb:iny  by  Icveral  foldi- 
ers,    fume   of  whom   h:id  fonnerly   deferred    the 
French  fcrvic-r  r,  and   r^iir.ain^d  many  days  uncon- 
firmed, till  the  arrival  of  two  f.illors,  who  made  their 
cicape  after  the  reduction  of  the  forts.  An  unlver- 
fal  fhock  was  now  given  to  the  whole  continent :  and; 
to  increafe  our  diilre(s,rhe  Indians  reported,  that  the 
v/liole  garrifon  was  put  to  the  f.vord,  and  the  dead 
bodies  of  our  countrymen  denied  eve^  the  facred 
rite  of  fepulture.   Buc  this,  by  fubft-puent  adviues, 
was  contradi«5led  :  and  the  fpies,  difpatchedfor  ob- 
fcrvation,  inform  us,  that  the  v/orks  are  intircly  de- 
molilhed,  and  the  enemy  departed.    In  v/hat  man-  ^"cnm- 

ftancciofthe 

ner,  and  by  what  numbers,  it  was  taken,  or  upon  figgg  u^, 
what  terms  furrendcrcd,  I  cannot  give  your  Lord-  hnown. 

X  fl'ip 


Hi 


m. 


¥  ^v 


1'6 


(      162      ) 

175 6.    fiilp  ary  fatisf^flGry  account.  How  many  were  kill- 
"^        ed  on  cicher  fide  is  alio  unknown  ;  tho*  certain  it  is 
t.):it  Lient.  Col.  Mercer,  the  commanding  officer, 
is  among  the  flain. 

It  i5  n^Hich  to  be  wifhed,  my  I.ord,  that  Mr.  Shir- 
ley's ?dvice  toGtiie;?.!  Abcrcrombie  had  been  fol- 
Juvved  :  anc!  eqndly  to  be  rrg'-etted,  that  SirWilli- 
am  J  hr.^KjTi  rernrr.ed  wii?-!   Tuc'i  precipitation  from 


Batfoe-men 


nr.pruct'iitiy 
i3ilch,ir2:cJ. 


ly  Onon-  iq;a  to  AlLany.    T^or  onoht  ihe  oi  charge  of 


r.. 


General 
Webb's 
march  de- 
layed* 


i-i 


400  :;:•■; roe- men,   n'^er  BrajriTttrr's  return,  to  pafs 
withv.i!    fome  rcirviV.  They  arrived  at  SchenecHia- 
dy,  a'  I  obfcrvcd  b-fore,  en  the  nth  of  July ;  and 
methinki  the  recent  proofs  of  their  courage,  and 
the  account  they  o:ave  of  the  (Irenjyth  and  defi<^ns 
of  the  enemy,  might  have  been  afufficient  antidote 
agaicfl:  the  poifon  of  that  council  for  their  difcharge; 
which  was  unquefllonably  defigned  by  Mr.  Shirley's 
enemies  for  throwing  an  odium  on  his  meafures.  To 
the  fame  influence,  my  Lord,  it  v/as  undoubtedly 
owing,  thar  General  Webb's  march,  with  the  44th 
regiment  from  Schenecflady,  was  delayed  till  the 
1 2th  of  Auguft,  but  two  days  before  the  garrifon 
was  a(5i:ually  furrendered.     He  had  proceeded  no 
farther  than  Burnet's"  Field,  with  his  regiment  of 
900  m.en,  and  the  remaining  800  battoe-men,  when 
the  deferters  brought  him  the  news  of  the  fiege. 
Upon  the  receipt  of  which,  he  made  a  forced  march 

t« 


'crc  kill- 
tain  it  is 
;  officer, 

Ir.  Shir- 
>een  fol- 
irWilli- 
on  from 
■large  of 
to  pafs 
iene(5la- 
ily  f  and 
ge,  and 
defions 
mtidote 
(charge; 
Shirley's 
ires.  To 
ubtedly 
:he44th 
till  the 
garrifon 
ded  no 
ment  of 
n,  when 
5  fiege. 
i  march 
to 


(   '63   ) 

to  the  Oneida  Carrying-Place  •,  where  he  immedi-    1756. 
ately  felled  trees  into  the  Wood  Creek,  to  prevent   '       '' 
the  approach  of  the  *  enemy. 

These,  my  Lord,  were  great  overfights  :  but  the 
lofsofOfwcgo  mult  principally  be  afcribed  to  a 
more  diftant  caufe  —  to  a  iun^fto,  who  have  all  aloncr 
embarrafled  every  part  of  his  Majefly's  fervice  01.1 
the  Lake  Ontario.  By  their  mifreprefenta  ions,  the 
public  has  been  drawn  into  a  dcp.-ridance  upon  thg 
Six  Nations,  mcrdy  to  exalt  Sir  William  Jo'infon  : 
and  that  nochlng  might  be  wanting  to  procure  a 
change  in  the  command  of  the  army,  and  defiroy 
all  confidence  in  Shirley's  judginent,  Cfwerro,  th« 
great  objed  of  his  attention,  has  been  flighted  as 
an  uncflcnLial  pof:  j  and  the  reduction  of  St.  Fre- 
deric reprefented  as  a  point  of  far  fupenfir  moment.    .,,, 

My  Lord,  by  thefe  intrisues  our  country  bleeds  ^^'^''^PPV 

^  ■'  confe- 

-— Ofwego  is  loft  —  loft  perhaps  for  ever,  —with  qjenccs  of 
the  naval  armament— -  above  60  pieces  of  ordnance,  \^'  •*"'  ^  °^ 

^  '  this  impor- 

and  a  rich  fupply  of  ftores  and  provifions,  laid  in  '^nt  poft. 
at  a  vaft  expence,  for  fcvcral  thoufand  men,  durii  g 

the 

^  The  French  were  equally  apprehenfive  of  h's  advancin^i; 
towards  them,  or  of  our  attempting  to  rebuild  Oiwrgo  :  and 
very  prudently  improving  the  prefent  advantage,  began  where 
General  Webb  left  off,  and  continued  the  ohftrutlion  quite  down 
to  \\it  entrance  into  the  Oneida  Lake  ;  which  renders  it  impof- 
fible  to  pais  thro  the  Wood  Creek,  40  miles  in  length.  General 
Wfbb  not  long^  after  abandoned  the  Carrying  Pl^ce,  after 
burning  down  the  forts,  much  to  the  dilfatisfahion  of  the  Indi- 
ra?. 


V' 


H; 


7*   -'■ 


ii. 


KK    ■ 


1^ 


(      164      ) 

I  7  c  6.    the  whole  campaign.  —  WouM  to  God  this  was  all, 

v—. .A •  and  we  had   nothing  worfe  to  apprehend!  —  Oiir 

furr  trade,  which  has  long  been  the  principal  objedlof 
the  national  attention,  and  the  fupport  of  our  fron- 
tier cicy  of  Albany,  is  at  an  end.  The  French  can 
now  with  the  litmoft  facility  fecure  the  inland  coun- 
try, and  confine  us  to  the  very  brinks  of  the  oct  an 
\-'-  a  free  communication  is  opened  between  Cana- 
da and  Louifiana;  and  all  our  ihrvrrcourfe  with  the 
Indians  totally  rciciii  jcd.   The  enemy,  on  the*  otlicr 
hand,  may,  withoiif  oppofiiibn  or  reftrainr,'  rcndc^r 
'th<  fe  irinumtfablt*  triben  of  fava^jec  ihir'ir  lUics  and 
drpcndenrs. 'The  Six  Nations   are  r.;Ore  wavering 
'than  ever:  arid  fhould  they  no  lon^-er  think  it  ex- 
pttUrnt  to  prefcrve  their  neutrality,  the  whole  coii- 
•tinent'  mud    inevitably   becorrie    a  feld  of  blood. 
ppi^p^Q^^j^-^j  Whdttver  may  be  thought  of  thefe  Colonies,  which 
not  fo  pow.   qI'  iatfc  have  been  magniiicd  for  their  numbers  and 
opulenceil  do  aGure  your  LordHiip,  that  a  fiiurt  war 
will  efFcflually  exhauft  them^  Their  fettlemenrs  arc 
fcattered ',  their  frontiers  cxtenfive  •,  the  inh<nbitants 
but  few,' generally  in  very  moderate  circnmib.nccs, 
andftiil  luxurious,  and  without  refources.    The  if*- 
ruption  of  a  few  Indians  into  Perlnfyivania,  had  cl- 
ready  occafioned  the  lofs  of  fcvcral  hundred  fouls, 
andthc  defolationbf  neart'wothouland  farms.   17:e 
frontiersof  the  neighbouring  colonies  are  equally 
ii\>.  ,  •   ^  vi     •...._'    V    ^  dfcncelcfs  J 


\ 


gined. 


uii»  ■'•: 


was  all, 
—  Oiir 

objeftof 
11  :•  fron- 
nch  can 
id  coun- 
c  oct:an 
n  Cana- 
wh\\  ihe 

fcndcT 
Hies  and 
/avenng 
ik  it  ex- 
ole  cori- 
•f  blood, 
s,  which 
3ers  and 
hurt' war 
lents  arc 
?,bitants 
iftanccs, 
The  ii*- 

had  al- 

d'  foil  Is, 

IS.  Thh 

equally 

ncelei's,: 


,(   '65    )      ,, 

defrncelefs :  and  the  power  of  the  native  favagcs,    17  c6, 

ar  p.-eff  it  in  th2»Fr-nch  interefl,  is  of  itPrlf  fuffici-  ' »^— ► 

e  c,   bv'  n  )  /  biiC  is«,v'.:able  mean?,  to  nalucc  us  to 

ex^rci;"!.:  b-  -    ^try  anJ  diftxfs.  '  '"    "''' 

Thus,  ni/  Lo'd,  1  havc  Iinifhcd  the  relation  of  General  Re- 


v/hat  has  l.iJier.o  been  tranfi.lci  in  America.     I 


flcdtiens 
upon   the 
hivc  not  only  prefented  you  with  a  fcries  of  th€  whole. 

m  )fl  iitereltin^  evenrs,  but  brought  your  Lord- 
fliip  acqoair.Led  with  the  characters  and  defigns  of 
'the  princfpal  agents  in   our  political  affairs;     If  I 
'have  erred,  I  am  pcrfuaded  it  is  not  in  any  article 
of  impoi  ince,  nor  purpofely  in  the  minuted.  — E- 
very  h  ie  ot  this  letter  hath  been  penned  with  the 
'mcyft  fcicred  veneration  for  truth,  and  a  mind  ea- 
qua^y  unbiased  by  refentment  or  aJTetf^ion.  —For 
obtaining  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  mat- 
ters rehcarfcd,  few  in  the  colonies  have  had  fuperi- 
or  advantages  :  nor  in  collecting  proper  materials, 
'has  any  one  been  nijre  alTiduous.  Add  to  this,  that 
I  had  no  other  inrerefl  in  the  public  meafures,  than 
the  interclt  o^  every  man  on  the  continent.     I  am 
'unconnected  with  all  parties  •,  neither  enjoying  any 
poft  myfelf,  nor  {landing  in  the  leatl  relation  to  a 
fingle  officer  in  the  army.  The  love  of  my  country 
was  the  fole  fpring  of  my  curiofiry  -,  and  fo  far,  in- 
deed, I  was  not  an  unconcerned  fpe^!:l:ator  of  the  pu- 
blic tranfafti'ons.   If  I  have  made  honourable  men- 
tion 


i 


W'  :i' 


(     166     ) 

I  7  c6.    t'lon  of  General  Shirley,  it  vvar^  owing  to  my  appro- 
■^  bation  of  his  fchemes.,  as  conducive  to  the  common 
iveaiof  the  Bri^irh  pian'ation^ :  and  if  my  judge- 
ment was  in  luir,  rcgrr/J  erroneous,  I  have  the  plea- 
'    fiire  tp  HnJ   mylelt  in  v^ry  rci-eflahlc  company. 
Exc.apt  ^^«:;w  Yorlr^  or  raiiu  r  a  prevailing  fixiiop 
there,  all  the  colonies  hold  him  ia  very  high  efteem. 
Some  have  m:;de  public  declarati  ;ns  of  their  fenfc 
of  his  great  merit  j  and  that  too,    at  a  time  when 
he  appeared  defcending  from  his  meridian  of  glory. 
But  lie  needed  no  other  than  the  tedimoni^ls  of  Iiis 
own  province-,  for  he,  my  Lord,  whofe  conducfl  is 
approved  by  the  people  of  the  Ma/Tachufletts  Bay, 
mufl  be  diftinguifhed  both  for  his  abilities  and  his 
virtue.    They  are  too  numerous  and  wife  to  be  de- 
ceived, too  free  and  independent  to  be  driven.  An 
undue  influence  can  never  be  obtained  by  the  go- 
vernor of  a  colony,  who  has  neither  power  nor  pla- 
ces to  bellow.  —  Their  afiemblies  are  annual  —  the 
members  elefled  by  ballot,  in  number  near  200.  — 
The  council,  cr  middle  eftate,  chofen  yearly  by  the 
.  alTembly  :  —  and  as  all  the  offices  are  eleflive,   not 
a  man  in  the  province  is  dependent  on  the  fmilcs  or 
the  frowns  of  the  King's  reprefentative  :  —  and  yet 
fo  v/ife,  free,  and  loyal  a  people  have  approved  his 
judgment;  confided  in  his  imegrity;  teftified  in 
his  favour  •,  and  publickly  lamented  his  departure 

from 


J  appro- 
ommon 

he  plea- 

eftcem. 
:ir  fenfc 
ic  when 
f  glory, 
s  of  liis 
idu(ft  is 
ts  Bay, 
md  his 
•  be  dc- 
en.  An 
the  go- 
lor  pla- 
l  —  the 

200.  — 

by  the 
^e,  not 
lilcs  or 
ind  yet 
ved  his 
ficd  in 
)artnre 

from 


from  the  continent.     I  wotild  by  no  means,  my    ^756. 
Lord,  be  underllood,  by  thefc  favourable  fcnti-  *— -v--- ^ 
ments  of  Shirley,  to  difparage  his  noble  Succcffor 
in  the  command,  he  yet  has  not,  acleaf.  he  defervea 
not  to  have,  a  fingle  enemy  amongft  us :  and  I  hope 
it  will  ferve  the  purpofes  of  no  man  to  be  his  enemy. 
I  could  only  have  widicd,  that  at  this  critical  junc- 
ture, a  gentleman  fo  thorough.ly  vcrfed  in  Ameri- 
can affairs,  had  been  continued  in  America  for  his 
Lordfliip's  alTidance.  We  have  to  conrend  with  a 
fubtle  enterprifmg  fee  —  a  foe,  rapacious,  martial, 
and  bloody,  committing  murders,  rather  than  wag- 
ing war.  Tho'  the  French  colony  contains  perhaps 
not  30,000  men  capable  to  bear  arms  ;  yet  thefc 
are  all  under  the  dcfpotic  command  and  fjle  direc- 
tion of  their  governor-gencr;il  •,    and   experience 
teaches  us,  that  in  fpite  of  our  navy,  they  may  be 
annually  reinforced.  Theflren^^th  of  our  coloni-ss, 
on  the  other  hand,  is  divided  j  and  t\\t  concurrence 
of  all  necefTary  both  for  fupplies  of  men  and  money^ 
Jealous  are  they  of  each  other  — -  fome  ill-conP/itut- 
ed  —  others  fliaken  with  inteftinc  divifions —  and, 
if  I  may  be  allowed  the  exprefiion,  parfimonious 
even  to  prodigality.  Our  alfemblics  are  di5dent  of 
their  governors —- governors   difplfe   their   afiem- 
blies,  and  both  mutually  mifreprefent  each  other 
to  the  Court  of  Great  Britain.     Military  mcafures 

demand 


^^»  I  *       •»  *• 


E^ 


h  i  i' 


I'  ■  ■ 

wm-' 


Is!...' 


:M'«  .r<i 


(    >-^>s    ) 

f'y  r  6.    demand  fecrecy  and  diiparch  :  hut  while  the  colo- 
^-"— "^' — '  nies  remain  undivided,  and  nothing  can  be  tranfac- 
ted  but  with  their  univerfal  afiTent,  'tis  impoflfiblc 
to  maintain   the  one,  or  proceed  with  the  other. 
Without  a  general  conflitution  for  warlike  optra- 
tions,  tvc  can  neither  plan  nor  execute.  We  haVc  a 
common  intcreft,  and  muft  have  a  comm.on  coun- 
cil, one  head^  and  one  furfe,  —The  French  fcrvicc  is 
unexpofed  to  thcfc  embarr^fsmcnts  •,  and  hence  they 
projeft  without  difcovery,   and   we  fcarce  collect 
their  defigns,  till  wt   are  attacked  and  defeated. 
Hitherto  they  have  profecutcd  the  war  with  fupe- 
rior  advantage;  and  yet  the  militia  of  the  province  of 
the  Maflfachufctts  Bay  alone,  undoubtedly  exceeds, 
by  fome  thoufands,  all  the  troops  of  Canada.  Since 
the  commencement  of  the  prefent   hoftilitles,   his 
Majefty  has  lofl  above  3O00  loyal  fubjecHis :  and  as 
all  the  Indians  are  at  the  devotion  of  the  French, 
and  Ofwego  is  now  lolV,  many  ihoufand  farms  be- 
fore the  opening  of  the  next  fpring,  will  probably 
.    be  abandoned-,  and  the  interior  fettlements  deluge 
cd  with  the  innocent  blood  of  all  ages  and  fexes. 
Indeed,  my  Lord,  'tis  not  beneath  the  mod  elevat- 
ed (tation,  to  indulge  the  benevolent  feelings  of  hu- 
manity r  nor,  retiring  a  while  from  the  pomp  and 
gaky  that  iurrounds  you,  to  died  a  pitying  tear  o- 

ver  families  inhumauly  bereft  of  their  fubftance,  cr' . 

more 


it: 


lie  colo- 
tranfac- 
ipoflfiblc 
c  other. 
c  optra- 
c  have  a 
>n  coun- 
crvicc  is 
nee  they 

lefeated. 

ith  fupe- 

mnce  of 

exceeds^ 

la.  Since 

oes,   his 

:  and  as 

French, 

rms  be- 

jrobablj^ 

s  dclug* 

d  fexes. 

I  elevat- 

sof  hu- 

)mp  and 

r  ttrar  o~ 

ance,  cr'. 

more 


(     ^<>9     ) 


\ 


more  inhumanly  flaughtcreci  in  their  beds.  ---  It  is 
a  celebrated  laying,  and  does  hc-nour  to  human  na-  *"■ 
ture,  *'  Homo  fum,  et  nihil  hiirnanum  a  me  alie- 
**  num  piuo." 

What  the  prefent  or  the  ne\'t  campaisn  will 
bring  forth,  is  known  only  to  the  Omnifcient  Go- 
vernor of  the  univcrfe.  The  colonies  arc  nearly  ex- 
haiiRed,  and  their  funds  already  anticipated  byex- 
penfive  unexecuted  projefts :  and  whether  they  will 
flill  continue  their  efiorts,  or  refign  to  a  liillffs  de- 
fpair,  is  uncertain.   I  fear  the  wofR  ---  and  yet  you 
know,  my  Lord,  I  am  not  of  a  melancholy  cafh 
There  is  too  much  reafon  for  general  concern  :  and 
I  venture  to  prediifl,  what  every  judicious  perfon 
forefees,  that  unlefs  fome  fuccefsful  blow  is  flruck  — 
and  fpeedily  flruck,  at  the  the  power  of  France,  Bri- 
tain muft  inevitably  lofe  her  pofleflions  in  America- 
An  event,  my  Lord,  ot  the  moll  tremcnduous  confe- 
quence  to  us  —  to  ybii  -—to  the  prcteilant  religion 
—  to  the  peace   of  Europe  —  yes  —  and   to  the 
peace  and  happinefs  of  all  mankind. 

Hitherto  we  have  waflcd  our  flrc^gth  in  lop- 
ing off  branches,  whpn  the  a^e  fliould  Lave  been 
laid  to  the  root  of  the  tnce.  Canada,  iny  Lord,' 
Canada  mirft  be  dcmolilhed  --Delanda  eft  Car- 
thago —  or  we  arc  undone.  Strength  fufficient 
have  we  kit,  with  proper  afliflance,  for  a  decifivc 
:^^  ,  ftrugglc: 


^75 


6. 


PT 


Kn 


r 

I'     • 


11^ 


I 


Wf-r     ■'■ 


k      H 


'*' 


(170     ) 

ftruj^le  :  fnit  ^  'ingring  confumption  willinfallibly 
cnerv^iirtr  aa^l  ticilroy.  PVancc  has  been,  e  /er  can,  an  J 
will  be  annvialiy,  throwing  over  frefii  trocps  into 
her  colony,  in  defiance  of  our  great  maritime  force: 
and  r)ould  pracc  cnfuc,  even  before  our  ruin  is 
'  compleated,  what  will  be  the  (late  of  theie  provin- 
ces upon  tlie  next  rupture  between  the  two  crowns, 
when  tlic  inland  countrv  is  filled  with  our  enemies? 
— -  As  you  therefore  value,  my  noble  Lord,  the 
caufe  ot  liberty  j  the  glory  of  the  Britilh  name;  the 
honour  and  dignity  of  the  beft  of  Kings  ;  and  the 
prefervation  of  thefe  colonies  from  bloody  carnage 
and  total  ruinj  exert,  I  bcfeech  you,  exert  your  in- 
fluence, to  extirpate  this  b.  jd  of  French  favagcs 
from  the  face  of  the  continent.  In  a  fcheme  fo  de- 
cifive,  and  in  no  other,  will  the  provinces  heartily 

'  unite-,  and  if  well  concerted,  and  our  unfortified 

fea-coafts  at  the  fame  timp  fylficiently  protected ; 
it  will  doubtlefs  fucceed -.- humble  the  pride  of 
France  — and  clofc  the  prefent  war  with  a  lading 
and  honourable  peace.      I  am,       '*- -  .  .  J.r.^  y  :; 
.  .    ..>;)       My  Lord, 

New  York,  Sept.  "With  the  profoundcft  refpcd,  ;, 

■  V    ::o,  ^76;.   ^.y^^^  Lordfhip's  mod  obliged>f.J 

^'! h^   ^M    Z7i;^i:^:r...  ^.,..;::..  and  obedient fismnt* 


"tv 


.    00 ;r.; 


•  ^    i\Jt.*t  y>J      Wot 


fin 


''    4/ 


^i 


ii 


Oo;r'x        • 


fs. 


